The Jackie Brown Script
Intro
This script is by Quentin Tarantino. It is based on Elmore Leonard's novel “Rum Punch”.
Main
Jackie Brown
Screenplay by Quentin Tarantino
OPENING CREDITS
INT. LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - DAY
We hear the rhythm of funky seventies SOUL MUSIC.
Then SHE steps into FRAME.
She is JACKIE BROWN, a stewardess dressed in her CABO AIR
uniform. (A little shuttle airline that flies from Los
Angeles to Cabo San Lucas. Approximate flight time: forty
five minutes)
Jackie stands still as a people-mover slowly inches her
through the airport. The CREDITS APEAR and DISAPPEAR in
front of her.
Jackie Brown is a very attractive black woman in her mid
forties, though she looks like she's in her mid-thirties.
The people-mover reaches the end of the line, she steps
off.
She breezes through Customs and we follow her with a
STEDICAM as she strides through the airport... She gets
to her gate disappears inside the plane for a moment
comes back out sans flight bag picks up the microphone.
JACKIE
(into mike)
Flight 710 Cabo San Lucas, now
boarding Gate 12, first class only.
With a smile on her face, she collects passengers'
boarding passes as they board the plane.
FADE TO BLACK
TITLE CARD
"ORDELL ROBBIE"
FADE UP ON:
EXT. FIRING RANGE - DAY
VIDEO
A chorus line of six beautiful bikini-clad women, all
holding different automatic weapons, BLASTING away.
The cheap VIDEO TITLES to:
"CHICKS WHO LOVE GUNS"
Play over this image.
One bikini beauty is singled out. She's a gorgeous
brunette named SIDNEY. Sidney stands facing camera
holding a TEC-9 and describing it.
SIDNEY
(to camera)
Hi, I'm Sidney. And I love to TEC-9.
The popular TEC-9 is advertised by
its makers as being tough as the
toughest customer.
SIDNEY'S STATISTICS: Age, height, measurements, date of
birth, appear at the bottom left-hand corner. As Sidney
continues her sales pitch/demonstration, a BLACK MAN'S
VOICE begins talking over the video.
BLACK MAN (O.S.)
That's a TEC-9. It's a cheap ass
spray gun outta South Miami.
After a CLOSEUP of the TEC-9, Sidney FIRES the weapon.
BLACK VOICE (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Cost three-eighty retail. I get them
for two hundred and sell 'em for
eight.
INT. MELANIE'S BEAHC APARTMENT - NIGHT
The Black Voice belong to forty-five-year old ORDELL
ROBBIE.
Ordell wears clothes nice and likes wearing nice clothes.
Stylish, athletic wear (Reebok), heavy, black leather
jackets (Hugo Boss), warm-colored berets and baseball
caps to cover his balding head are Ordell's "look." At
this moment Ordell's wearing an open silk shirt.
Ordell narrates the video playing on the big-screen V.
(the most expensive thing in the apartment). He holds a
cocktail in one hand (screwdriver, his drink of choice)
and the remote control in the other, pacing the floor in
his I-can-talk-anybody-into-anything voice.
LOUIS GARA, who looks like he does his shopping at the
Salvation Army (dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and
dungarees), sits on the sofa staring blankly at the
video, drinking Jack Daniels on ice. Louis, white, also
in his mid forties, has lived over half of his life in
penal institutions. The experience has affected both his
body language and his thought process.
While acutely aware of the rhythm of life inside a
correction facility, in the real world his timing is
thrown. It's like a song he doesn't know the lyrics to
but attempt to sing anyway.
The third person watching the video is the person who
lives in this apartment, MELANIE RALSTON. Melanie, thirty-
three, is a tanned, blonde, California beach bunny. Like
the kind you se in the old Crown International movies
from the seventies like "Pom Pom Girls" "Malibu Beach"
and "Beach Girls," except Melanie is older than any of
those girls ever are. She's dressed in her Melanie-
uniform of stringy Levis cutoffs and a stringy bra top.
So far Melanie has been able to make a living out of
lying in the sun, always finding a generous, wealthy man
more than willing to pay her rent and pick up her tabs.
In her prime (twenty two) it was Japanese industrialists,
film production guys, and Middle Eastern businessmen who
kept Melanie. And it was places like the Bahamas,
Acapulco, and the Virgin Islands where they kept her.
But now, at thirty three, she lives in an apartment in
Hermosa Beach, California that Ordell pays for an drops
in and out of. She's curled up in a reclining chair,
smoking weed from a pipe, reading Movieline Magazine and
paying no attention to the video.
ORDELL
This TEC-9? They advertise it as
being the most popular gun in
American crime. Can you believe that
shit? It actually says that on the
little booklet that comes with it.
"Most Popular Gun in American Crime,"
like they're proud of that shit.
Ordell hits the fast-forward on his remote control.
Sidney is rushed off the screen and replace by CINDY, a
pretty, blonde bodybuilder clad in a red, white and blue
bikini, holding a Styer Aug.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
Check out this body-builder chick...
Now see what she got. That's a Styer
aug. Styer Aug's a bad motherfucker.
Listen.
Ordell punches up the volume.
Cindy BLASTS the Styer Aug, loud.
Ordell imitates the sound of the weapon.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
Shit's expensive, man. Comes from
Austria. My customers don't know shit
about it, so there ain't no demand.
(to Melanie)
Baby, I could use some more ice.
Melanie puts down the magazine, takes his cocktail glass
from him and moves to the kitchen.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
But put that bad boy in a flick,
every motherfucker out there want
one. I'm serious as a heart attack.
Them Hong Kong movies came out, every
nigga gotta have a forty-five. And
they don't want one, they want two,
cause nigga want to be "The Killer."
What they don't know, and that movie
don't tell you is a .45 has a serious
fuckin' jammin' problem. I always try
and steer a customer towards a 9-
millimeter. Damn near the same
weapon, don't have half the jammin'
problems. But some niggas out there,
you can't tell them anything. They
want a .45. The killer had a .45,
they want a .45.
Melanie comes back, hands Ordell his screwdriver, then
sits where she was.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
Thanks, Baby.
LOUIS
Who's your partner?
Ordell sits down on the couch. Melanie's reading
"Movieline Inside" magazine.
ORDELL
Mr. Walker. He runs a fishing boat in
Mexico. I deliver the merchandise to
him, gets it to my customers. On all
my bulk sales, anyway. Nigga didn't
have a pot to piss in or a window to
throw it out 'fore I set 'em up. Now,
motherfucker's rollin' in cash. He
got himself a yacht, with all kinds
of high tech navigational shit on it.
(back to video)
AK-47, the very best there is.
GLORIA, a tall, Amazonian, bikini-clad, black woman faces
camera and describes the AK-47.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
When you absolutely, positively,
gotta kill every motherfucker in the
room, accept no substitute. That
there is the Chinese one. I pay eight-
fifty and double my money.
The phone rings.
ORDELL(CONT'D)
Get that for me, will ya baby?
MELANIE
You know it's for you.
Ordell just stares at her.
ORDELL
Girl, you better not make me go over
there and put my feet to ya.
Louis keeps staring at he screen.
Melanie gets up, goes over to the counter that separates
the living room from the kitchen, picks up the phone,
says:
MELANIE
Hello.
Puts the phone down and says;
MELANIE (CONT'D)
It's for you.
Before Ordell knows it, Melanie is back in the reclining
chair, reclining back all the way.
Ordell, pissed, looks at her a moment before taking the
phone.
ORDELL
(into phone)
Yeah.
(pause)
Hey, Junebug, what's up
Louis sits on he couch, drinking his Jack Daniels,
watching the video.
Melanie lies back on the reclining chair, takes a hit off
her pipe, then says in a 'holding in smoke' voice;
MELANIE
(referring to the tape)
It's boring, isn't it?
LOUIS
I can sit through it once.
MELANIE
He thinks he's Joe Gunn now.
LOUIS
I'm impressed. He knows a lot.
MELANIE
He's just repeating shit he
overheard. He ain't any more a gun
expert than I am.
Holding up her pipe.
MELANIE
Want a hit?
LOUIS
Sure.
Louis takes a hit off the pipe.
MELANIE
When did you get out of jail?
LOUIS
Four days ago.
MELANIE
Where at?
LOUIS
Susanville.
MELANIE
How long?
LOUIS
Two months shy of four years.
MELANIE
Four years?
LOUIS
Uh-huh.
MELANIE
What for?
LOUIS
Bank robbery.
MELANIE
Really, I'm impressed.
Louis takes a drink of whiskey.
MELANIE
Four years that's a long fuckin time.
Louis nods his head in agreement.
Ordell hangs up the phone.
Ordell comes back, sitting down on the other side of
Louis.
ORDELL
See, what did I tell you? Man in New
York wants a 9 millimeter Smith and
Wesson Model 5946. Why does he want
it? It's the gun that nigga on "New
York Undercover" uses. Because of
that nigga, I can sell it to this
nigga for twelve-fifty.
LOUIS
What's your cost?
ORDELL
As low as two.
LOUIS
Are you serious?
ORDELL
That's what I been tellin' you. Start
adding these motherfuckin' figures
up, and you tell me this ain't a
business to be in.
The phone rings again.
Ordell looks at Melanie.
Melanie looks at Ordell.
They have a bit of a staring contest before she gets up
and gets the phone.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
I got me five M-60 machine guns.
These came straight from the Gulf
War. I sold me three of them so far,
twenty grand a piece.
LOUIS
That's good money.
ORDELL
Louis, this is it, man. I'm gonna
make me a million dollars out of
this. I already got me a half-a-
million sittin' in Mexico. When I do
this last delivery, I'm gonna make me
another half-million.
LOUIS
Then what?
ORDELL
I get out. Spend the rest of my life
spending.
Melanie sits back down in he chair.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
Who is it?
MELANIE
It's Beaumont.
KITCHEN
Ordell, drink in hand, picks up the receiver.
ORDELL
(into phone)
Beaumont�Ordell. What's the problem?
(pause)
What the fuck you doin' in jail?
(pause)
What the fuck you doin' that for?
(pause)
Ain't you got better sense than to be
drivin' drunk carrying a goddam
pistol?
He listens to Beaumont on the other line - it's obvious
Beaumont's starting to freak out. Ordell changes his
tone.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
- Beaumont. Beaumont. Listen to me.
Number one, you need to chill out,
nigga. Bad as this shit is, this shit
ain't as bad as you think it is.
(pause)
Course you're scared. That's what
these motherfuckers get paid for
scarin' the shit outta ya. That's
their job. And my job is to get you
the fuck home so let me tell you what
is gonna happen... May I speak?...
Thank you... You gonna spend the
night in jail; it's too late to get
you out now. Tomorrow, they gonna
take you into court. I'm gonna be
there. Judge gonna set your bail. I'm
gonna pay your bail, they gonna cut
you loose. By tomorrow night, you'll
be back home, I promise.
(pause)
So just calm your ass down, and I'll
see you tomorrow.
(pause)
You owe me a helluva lot more than
one, nigga.
(laughs)
See you.
Ordell hangs up the phone.
CUT TO:
EXT. CHERRY BAIL BONDS - DAY
The store front window of Cherry Bail Bonds in Inglewood,
California. The name of the business is spelled out on
the window, which also includes a drawing of a fat red
cherry.
Ordell's BLACK MERCEDES CONVERTIBLE pulls up.
Ordell in the driver's seat. Louis in shotgun position.
INT. CHERRY BAIL BONDS - DAY
Inside Cherry Bail Bonds, looking out through the picture
window. We can read the name on the glass backwards.
Ordell and Louis appears in the window and enter the
building. Ordell carries a L.A. Lakers athletic bag.
An unidentified MALE VOICE, obviously on the telephone,
can be heard.
Ordell goes toward the voice and tells Louis to "hang
back."
MALE VOICE (O.S.)
... the judge doesn't give a fuck
about that. He's ready to habitualize
you. Is that what you want - you
wanna look at ten years?
The voice belong to MAX CHERRY, bail bondsman. Max, a
regular-Joe-type white guy in his fifties, sits behind
his desk talking on the phone. His eyes raise as he sees
Ordell approach him.
MAX (CONT'D)
(on phone)
Just overnight is all. Tomorrow I'll
get you out, I promise. But it means
I gotta pick you up tonight.
Ordell motion to the chair in front of Max's desk. Max
motions for Ordell to take a seat.
MAX (CONT'D)
(on phone)
Reggie, there ain't no two ways about
it. You're spending the night in
jail, but I already told you I'll get
you out tomorrow. Now where are you?
(pause)
You're at your mother's house, aren't
you?
Ordell lights up a cigarette. (Viceroy).
He notices a picture on the wall of Max with his arm
around a big, powerfully built black man. They're both
grinning.
Louis pours himself some coffee from a coffeemaker into a
small, white styrofoam cup. He picks up a jar of powdered
non-dairy creamer that's so dry he has to break off a
rock. Louis adds the rock of coffeemate to his beverage.
MAX (CONT'D)
(on phone)
Okay. Just stay put till I come for
you.
(pause)
Reggie, do yourself a really big
favor and be there when I get there.
He hangs up the phone.
Ordell sits in front of the desk, smiling at him and
smoking.
MAX (CONT'D)
How can I help you?
ORDELL
(indicating the Viceroy)
Where would you like me to put my
ash?
Max looks at him for a moment.
MAX
Use that coffee cup on the desk.
Ordell picks up the coffee cup, which still has a little
bit of coffee in it, and flicks his ash.
ORDELL
And I need me a bond for ten
thousand.
Max throws a look past Ordell to Louis.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
Oh, that's just my white friend,
Louis. He's got nothing to do with my
business. We just hangin together.
We're on our way to a cocktail
lounge.
From across the room, Louis nods his head in Max's
direction.
Max looks at him a moment, then back to Ordell.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
(returning to the photo)
Who's that big Mandingo nigga you
gotcha arm around?
Max looks at him a moment and says;
MAX
That's Winston. He works here.
ORDELL
He's a big one. You two tight?
MAX
Yeah.
ORDELL
It was our idea to take the picture,
wasn't it?
Max looks at Ordell, getting his drift, then says;
MAX
So, you want a ten-thousand dollar
bond. What've you got for collateral?
ORDELL
Gonna have to put up cash.
MAX
You have it with you?
Ordell picks up his Lakers bag and puts it in the empty
chair next to him.
ORDELL
It's in my bag.
MAX
You have cash. What do you need me
for?
ORDELL
C'mon, you know how they do. Black
man comes in with ten thousand, they
wanna fuck with 'em. First off, they
gonna wanna know where I got it.
Second, they gonna keep a big chunk
of it - start talkin' that court cost
shit. Fuck that shit, Jack. I'll go
through you.
MAX
Cost you a thousand for the bond.
ORDELL
I know that.
Louis just stands, feeling uncomfortable, in the other
room drinking coffee.
MAX
Who's it for? A relative?
ORDELL
Fella named Beaumont. They have him
up at county. It started out drunk
driving, but they wrote it up
"possession of a concealed weapon."
Dumb monkey-ass had a pistol on him.
MAX
Ten thousand sounds high.
ORDELL
They ran his name and got a hit. He's
been in before. Besides, Beaumont's
from Kentucky, and I think they're
prejudiced against black men from the
South out here.
MAX
He takes off and I gotta go to
Kentucky to bring him back, you pay
the expenses.
ORDELL
You think you could do that?
Max taking papers out of the drawer...
MAX
I've done it.
... picking up the pen...
MAX (CONT'D)
What's his full name?
ORDELL
Beaumont. That's the only name I
know.
Max looks at Ordell, but doesn't ask him the obvious
question.
Max picks up the phone.
MAX
(on phone)
Records office.
Max on hold, looks at Ordell.
Ordell smiles.
MAX (CONT'D)
(back on the line)
Hello, this is Max Cherry. Cherry
Bail Bonds. Who's this?
(pause)
Hi, Vicki. Look, Vicki, I need you to
look up the booking card and rough
arrest on a defendant named Beaumont.
(pause)
That's all I have. I believe it's a
surname but I'm not sure. Thanks.
Louis enters the area, standing over Ordell.
LOUIS
I'm going to wait in the car.
ORDELL
Sure.
(to Max)
We almost done, ain't we?
MAX
Getting there.
ORDELL
You go wait in the car. Wait a
minute.
Ordell pulls out a heavy-duty keychain with a shitload of
keys on it.
ORDELL
Take the keys, man. Listen to music.
LOUIS
Which one is for the car?
Ordell finds it. While he goes through the keys, Vicki
comes back on the line.
Max speaks with her as he fills out his papers.
ORDELL
(holding a key)
This one's for the ignition...
(holding a little black
box)
... but you gotta hit this thing to
shut the alarm off and unlock the
door.
LOUIS
What do I do?
ORDELL
You ain't got to do nothing. Just
point at it and push the button.
You'll hear the car go "bleep." That
means the alarm's off and the doors
are open.
LOUIS
Okay.
ORDELL
Now play the volume as loud as you
want but don't touch my levels. I got
them set just the way I want 'em.
Louis nods and goes out.
EXT. CHERRY BAIL BONDS - DAY
Louis walks out of the office. He goes up to Ordell's
black Mercedes. He points the little black box at it. The
car goes BLEEP.
He gingerly approaches it, opens the door and climbs
inside.
INT. MAX CHERRY'S OFFICE - DAY
Max hangs up the phone.
MAX
(to Ordell)
Beaumont Livingston.
ORDELL
Livingston, huh?
MAX
On his prior, he served nine months,
and he's working on four years'
probation.
ORDELL
You don't say.
MAX
Do you know what he's on probation
for?
ORDELL
Haven't a clue.
MAX
Possession of unregistered machine
guns.
ORDELL
Will they consider this a violation
of his probation?
MAX
They do consider this a violation of
his probation. Your boy's looking at
ten years, plus the concealed weapon.
ORDELL
Man, he won't like that. Beaumont
don't got a doin' time disposition.
MAX
I need your name and address.
ORDELL
Ordell Robbie. O-R-D-E-L-L. R-O-B-B-I-
E. 1436 Florence Boulevard. Compton
90222.
MAX
House or apartment?
ORDELL
House.
MAX
Now I need you to count your money.
Ordell hands him the Lakers bag. Max takes the money out
putting it on the desk.
ORDELL
Hope you don't mind me askin' where
you keepin' my money till I get it
back. In your drawer?
Max begins counting it.
MAX
Across the street a Great Western. It
goes in a trust account. You'll need
to fill out an Application for
Appearance Bond, an Indemnity
Agreement, a Contingent Promissory
Note. That's the one, if Beaumont
skips and I go after him, you pay the
expenses.
ORDELL
Beaumont ain't going nowhere.
(he takes a pen out of
his pocket)
Where do I sign?
Max pulls the forms from his desk, and lays them in front
of Ordell. Max goes back to counting the money. Ordell
reads the first agreement then says;
ORDELL (CONT'D)
(reading the form)
Hey, Max.
MAX
(still counting money)
Yes.
ORDELL
(still reading form)
I was wondering. What if before the
court date gets here, Beaumont gets
hit by a bus or something and dies.
(he puts the form down
and looks at Max)
I get my money back, don't I?
CUT TO:
A BLACK FINGER
Pressing a BLACK BUTTON next to the name, "BEAUMONT
LIVINGSTON".
INT. BEAUMONT'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
BEAUMONT LIVINGSTON, wearing no shirt, sweatpants, and
smoking a fatty answers the intercom, which buzzes
loudly. We can hear JAY LENO interviewing a CELEBRITY on
TV OFFSCREEN.
BEAUMONT
(into the speaker)
Who is it?
EXT. BEAUMONT'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Ordell stands outside the security gate of Beaumont's
Hollywood apartment.
EXTREME CLOSEUP - Ordell's lips talking into the intercom
speaker.
ORDELL
It's your benefactor, nigga. Buzz me
up.
EXTREME CLOSEUP - Beaumont's finger pressing the entry
button.
EXTREME CLOSEUP - The doorknob on the security gate,
BUZZING. Ordell's hand comes into frame twisting it open.
Beaumont opens his apartment door, fatty between his
fingers. He sees Ordell approach.
Ordell greets him, arms spread out in hug mode, with a
big smile across his face.
ORDELL
Look at you and your free ass. Come
over and give me a motherfuckin' hug.
Ordell and Beaumont embrace.
BEAUMONT
What the fuck can I say? I'm serious,
man. What the fuck can I say? Thank
you... thank you... thank you.
ORDELL
Who was there for your ass?
BEAUMONT
You were there for me.
ORDELL
Who?
BEAUMONT
You.
Laughing his hustler's laugh and bumping Beaumont's fist
hard.
ORDELL
You goddam right!
Beaumont laughs.
ORDELL
You see,�it works like this. You get
your ass in trouble, I get your ass
out. That's my job. And I don't mind
tellin ya, nigga, it's steady work.
BEAUMONT
I'm still scared as a motherfucker,
Ordell. They talkin' like they
serious 'bout me doin' that machine
gun time.
ORDELL
Naw, man. They just tryin' to put a
fright in your ass.
BEAUMONT
If that's what they want to do,
they're doin' it.
ORDELL
How old is that machine gun shit?
BEAUMONT
Three years.
ORDELL
Three years. That crime's old, man.
They ain't got room in prison for all
the motherfuckers out there killin'
people. How they gonna find room for
you?
BEAUMONT
That's not what they're tellin' me.
ORDELL
That's why they call it "fuckin' with
ya." Now you wanna hear how we
retaliate?
Beaumont takes a hit off the fatty and nods his head.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
Tomorrow I pick you up, take you to
Century City, meet my lawyer. Now let
me tell you a little bit about my
lawyer. His name is Stacin Goins and
this nigga is a junkyard dog! He's my
own private Johnie Cochran. In fact,
he'd kick Johnie Cochran's ass. And
like Johnie Cochran, dude hates
fuckin' cops. I'm serious, this man
lives to fuck with the police. So as
a favor, I had him look at your case.
Stacin told me you aint got shit to
worry about. They just fuckin' wit
ya. So we sic the junkyard dog on
their ass, make 'em -
(he bumps fist with Beaumont)
... Stop fuckin' wit ya!
Beaumont gesture inside his apartment.
BEAUMONT
Hey, c'mon in, man. I was just - you
know - smokin' a fatty, watchin' TV.
ORDELL
Naw, man. I gotta be someplace. I was
kinda hopin you could come with me.
BEAUMONT
What'd ya mean?
ORDELL
Look, I hate to be the kinda nigga,
does a nigga a favor - then BAM -
hits a nigga up for a favor in
return. But I'm afraid I gotta be
that kinda nigga.
BEAUMONT
What?
ORDELL
I need a favor.
BEAUMONT
That requires me goin out tonight?
ORDELL
A bit.
BEAUMONT
Aaaaawww man, I wasn't plannin' on
goin no place. It's twelve o'clock,
man. I'm home, I'm high -
ORDELL
Why the fuck you at home? Cause I
spent ten thousand dollars gittin'
your ass home.
(changes tone)
Look, I gotta problem. I need help,
and you can help me.
This has the desired effect.
TIME CUT:
WITH ORDELL WAITING OUTSIDE THE DOOR
Beaumont comes out of the apartment, sporting Nikes and a
Queen Latifah t-shirt. He locks his front door and walks
with Ordell to his car. They talk the whole way. We
STEDICAM in front of them the whole way.
BEAUMONT
What's the problem?
ORDELL
Well, it ain't so much a problem a a
situation. Remember I sold those
three M-60 machine guns outta the
five I got?
BEAUMONT
Uh-huh.
ORDELL
I'm gonna sell the other two tonight.
This group of Koreans in Koreatown
have started a Neighborhood Watch
kinda thing. And they want a few
weapons so the neighborhood niggas
know they mean business. So I'm gonna
sell 'em my two machine guns tonight.
Only problem, I aint never dealt with
these Koreans before. Now I aint
worried. Asians are by and large real
dependable. They don't want no
trouble. You might argue about price,
but you aint gotta worry about them
shootin' you in the back. But I got
me kind of a rule. Never do business
with nobody you ain't never done
business with before without backup.
That's why I need you, backup.
BEAUMONT
Man, I ain't ready to be goin' out
nowhere -
ORDELL
- Let me finish. Can I finish?
BEAUMONT
Go ahead.
CUT TO:
TRUNK
The trunk of a car is opened.
Ordell bends down into the trunk and pulls out a pump
action shotgun. Beaumont obviously doesn't want any part
of any Ordell game that requires a pump action shotgun as
a playing piece.
ORDELL
Now you're gonn be in the trunk
holding onto the shotgun. And I'm
going to tell them I'm opening up my
trunk to show 'em my goods. I open up
the trunk, you pop up, rack that bad
boy.
BEAUMONT
Fuck that shit, man. I ain't shootin'
anybody.
ORDELL
What the fuck I tell you. You don't
hafta shoot nobody. Just hold the
gun. They'll get the idea.
BEAUMONT
I ain't gittin' in that trunk.
ORDELL
We're only goin' to Koreatown. You'll
be in there - ten minutes.
BEAUMONT
Uh-uh. I ain't riding in that trunk
no minutes. Why don't I just ride
with you?
ORDELL
You can't ride with me. The surprise
effect is ninety percent of it.
BEAUMONT
Well, I'm sorry, man, but I ain't
gittin' in that trunk.
ORDELL
I can't believe you do me this way.
BEAUMONT
I ain't doin' you no way. I just
ain't climbin' in that trunk. I got a
problem with small places.
ORDELL
Well, my ass has got a problem
spending ten thousand dollars of my
own goddam money to get ungrateful,
peanut-head niggas outta jail, but I
do it -
BEAUMONT
Look, man, I know I owe you -
ORDELL
- Well, if you owe me, git your ass
in the trunk.
BEAUMONT
- I wanna help you, but I don't wanna
be locked in the trunk of no car.
ORDELL
You think I wanted to spend ten
thousand dollars on your ass?
Beaumont starts to speak -
ORDELL (CONT'D)
Answer the question, nigga. Do you
think I wanted to spend the thousand
dollars on your ass? Yes or no?
BEAUMONT
Course you didn't.
ORDELL
But the only way to help you was to
do that, so I did it. (pause) Okay,
how 'bout this? After we're through
fuckin' with these Koreans, I take
you to Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles.
My treat.
Beaumont smiles. So does Ordell.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
Just think, man. That Scoe's special,
smothered in gravy and onions. Get a
side of red beans and rice.
Uuuuummmmm, that's some good eatin'.
Beaumont and Ordell laugh together... the Beaumont says;
BEAUMONT
Now exactly how long I gotta be in
this motherfucker.
CUT TO:
TRUNK
Beaumont in the trunk, holding the shotgun. The trunk lid
is SLAMMED closed.
EXT. / INT. OLDSMOBILE - NIGHT
Ordell walks around the car, climbs into the plush
interior of the Olds and turns on the engine. It comes to
life with a SOFT RUMBLE. He puts a tape in the player
inside the dash.
The tape is labeled "ORDELL'S JAMS."
Cool, old-school R&B fills the cab.
Ordell cruises, moving his head to the rhythm and
mouthing the words.
He drives for awhile, just groovin' on the music...
... then stops.
Ordell switches the engine and the music off. The cab
goes black.
He leans over the passenger seat, opening the glovebox. A
tiny light turns on when the glovebox is opened. It's the
only light in the cab. Ordell leaves it on.
In silence he takes one glove out and puts it on his
right hand. Then with his gloved hand, reaches in the
glovebox and pulls out a five-shot .38 snubby. He closes
the glovebox.
The cab goes black.
EXT. OLDSMOBILE - NIGHT
The Olds is parked out in the middle of some urban
nowhere.
Ordell gets out, sticks the snubby in his pants, and
walks to the back of the Olds. He sticks his key in the
trunk and says;
ORDELL
Don't worry. It's just me.
The trunk opens. Beaumont is hunched on his side with the
shotgun.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
I was wondering. Did any federal
people come visit you in jail and I
should be watching my ass?
Beaumont doesn't say anything.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
You wouldn't tell me if they did and
I wouldn't blame you.
Ordell takes the snubby out of his pants.
Beaumont quick-racks the pump shotgun, pulls the trigger,
and hears the click you hear from an empty weapon. He
racks it again, CLICK then BAM. Beaumont is shot hard in
the chest. He goes back into he trunk.
Ordell puts one more shot in his head, BAM, tosses the
weapon on top of the dead body and closes the trunk.
Ordell's Beaumont problem is solved. He climbs back into
the cab, turns on the engine. We hear the old-school R&B
song come back on, but VERY LOW.
Ordell drives the Olds away.
CUT TO:
INT. MOTEL - NIGHT
Louis sits on a bed in a flophouse motel room, flipping
from one channel to another with a remote control,
drinking cocktails from a can.
The phone rings. He answers it.
LOUIS
Hello.
INT. OLDSMOBILE (PARKED) - NIGHT
Ordell is sitting parked in the comfy-cozy cab of the
Olds, listening to soul music with his tiny cellular
phone next to his ear.
ORDELL
Louis, my man. Watcha doin'?
LOUIS
Oh, I dunno. Watching TV.
ORDELL
Whatcha watchin'?
LOUIS
Nothin' really. Just kinda goin' back
and forth. They had some black girl
from some black show on Jay Leno. I
watched that for a bit, but I kept
flippin channels cause I didn't know
who she was.
ORDELL
Guess where I am?
LOUIS
I dunno.
ORDELL
I know you don't know. I said guess.
LOUIS
The moon - I dunno
ORDELL
I'm talkin' to you from the comfy-
cozy interior of an Oldsmobile parked
outside your nasty-ass welfare motel.
LOUIS
You're outside?
ORDELL
Uh-huh.
LOUIS
C'mon in.
ORDELL
Naw, man. I just told you, I'm
comfortable. I ain't about to walk
into that roach motel and get
uncomfortable. You bring your ass out
here.
LOUIS
I'm in my underwear.
ORDELL
Then put your goddam drawers on, and
get your ass out here. I got
somethin' to show you.
EXT. MOTEL - NIGHT
Louis, having just thrown on some pants, walks outside
his room and sees Ordell's big, black Oldsmobile parked
in front of the motel.
As he approaches, the power window on the driver's side
comes down, revealing a comfortable Ordell sitting back
in his seat looking up at Louis.
ORDELL
You know what your problem is, Louis?
Louis doesn't say anything, he just puts his hands in his
pockets.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
You think you're a good guy. When you
go into a deal you don't go in
prepared to take that motherfucker
all the way. You go in looking for a
way out. And it ain't cause you're
scared neither. It's cause you think
you're a good guy, and you think
there's certain things a good guy
won't do. That's where we're
different, me and you. Cause me, once
I decide I want something, aint a
goddam motherfuckin' thing gonna stop
me from gittin' it. I gotta use a gun
get what I want, I'm gonna use a gun.
Nigga gets in my way, nigga gonna get
removed. Understand what I'm saying?
CLOSEUP: KEY GOING INTO TRUNK
Trunk opens showing Beaumont shot in the chest with half
his head blown off.
Louis looks inside, see Beaumont, looks at Ordell, then
back to Beaumont.
Ordell closes the trunk.
LOUIS
Who was that?
ORDELL
That was Beaumont.
LOUIS
Who was Beaumont?
ORDELL
An employee I had to let go.
LOUIS
What did he do?
ORDELL
He put himself in a situation where
he was gonna have to do ten years in
the penetentiary, that's what he did.
(taking out a Viceroy and
lighting it up)
And if you know Beaumont, you know
there aint no way in hell he can do
no ten years. And if you know that,
you know Beaumont's gonna go any
goddam thing Beaumont can to keep
from doin' those ten years including
telling the Federal government
everything they want to know about my
ass. Now that, my friend, is a clear
case of him or me. And you best
believe it aint gonna be me. You know
what I'm sayin'? You gonna come in on
this with me, you gotta be prepared
to go all the way. I got me so far
over a half-a-million dollars sittin'
in lockboxes in a bank in Cabo San
Lucas. Me and Mr. Walker make us one
more delivery, I'm gonna have me over
a million. You think I'm gonna let
this little cheese eatin' nigga here
fuck that up? Shit, you better think
again. 'Fore I let this deal get
fucked up, I'll shoot that nigga in
the head, and ten niggas look just
like em.
(pause)
Understand what I'm sayin'?
LOUIS
Yeah.
ORDELL
So we on the same page then?
LOUIS
I follow.
Ordell smiles (not his hustler smile, but a genuine
smile).
Louis grins.
They both bump fists.
FADE TO BLACK:
TITLE CARD:
"JACKIE BROWN"
The sound of airplanes landing and taking off can be
heard underneath this...
INT. LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - DAY
A SUBTITLE reads:
"LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT PARKING GARAGE"
We look down a row of cars in an enclosed parking garage
at LAX. Jackie Brown, the Cabo Air stewardess from the
opening credits, walks into frame. We dolly behind her as
she walks down the row of cars.
VOICE (O.S.)
Miss Brown.
She turns towards the voice/camera.
Young plainclothes cop, MARK DARGUS, walks up to her,
holding open his I.D. case.
DARGUS
Hi, I'm Detective Mark Dargus.
L.A.P.D. can I ask what you have in
that bag?
JACKIE
The usual things. I'm a flight
attendant with Cabo Air.
Young plainclothes cop RAY NICOLET, enters the scene.
NICOLET
Can I be of some assistance?
As Jackie pulls the cigarettes (Davidoffs) from her
purse, she says to Ray;
JACKIE
I doubt it.
(to Dargus)
Who's your friend?
DARGUS
This is Special Agent Ray Nicolet
with Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
Would you mind if we looked in that
bag?
Jackie lights her cigarette with a yellow Bic lighter.
JACKIE
Would I mind? Do I have a choice?
DARGUS
You have the right to say "no." And I
have the right to make you wait here
with Ray while I go get a warrant.
And if I don't want to go through all
that trouble, I could just take you
in on suspicion.
JACKIE
Suspicion of what?
NICOLET
All he wants to do is peek in your
bag. I'll watch he doesn't take
anything.
Jackie shrugs and says;
JACKIE
Go ahead.
Dargus lays the flight bag on the pavement, gets down on
his haunches, and starts feeling through her things.
CLOSEUP FLIGHT BAG
A soiled blouse, uniform skirt, - then a manila envelope,
a fat one, nine-by-twelve.
Jackie watches him straighten the clasp...
ENVELOPE
Opens it. Out drops several packets of one hundred dollar
bills secured with rubberbands.
Nicolet whistles.
Dargus looks up at her.
DARGUS
I'd say there's about, oh, fifty
thousand dollars here. What would you
say Ray?
NICOLET
That looks like fifty thousand
dollars from here.
JACKIE
Not saying anything at the moment.
DARGUS
This is your money?
JACKIE
If I were to tell you "no it
isn't..."
Dargus smiles.
DARGUS
You should know if you bring in
anything over ten thousand you have
to declare it. You forgot or what?
You could get a two hundred and fifty
thousand dollar fine, plus two years
in prison. Now you want to talk to us
about it, or you want to talk to
Customs?
JACKIE
I'm not saying another word.
NICOLET
Listen, Jackie, Hope you don't mind
if I call you Jackie. They're a bunch
of fuckin' pricks in Customs.
Something about that job makes them
kinda hard to get along with. Now, do
you want to talk with a bunch of
suspicious, disagreeable people like
them, or a couple good-hearted guys
like Mark and myself.
Nicolet smiles.
CLOSEUP JACKIE
Doesn't smile back.
DISSOLVE TO:
CLOSEUP JACKIE
Sitting in a chair facing the two offscreen detectives.
Jackie lights up a cigarette. We don't leave the CLOSEUP
until noted.
INT. DARGUS OFFICE - DAY
DARGUS (O.S.)
Hey, this is my office. There's no
smoking.
JACKIE
Arrest me.
Nicolet laughs O.S.
DARGUS (O.S.)
We could, smart ass... or we could
work out what's known as a
Substantial Assistance Agreement.
That is if you're willing to
cooperate. Tell us who gave you the
money and who you're giving it to.
Jackie doesn't sat anything... she just smokes.
NICOLET (O.S.)
You got a good lawyer?
DARGUS (O.S.)
Can she afford a good one is the
question. Otherwise she'll be in
Sybill Brand three weeks easy before
the Public Defender gets around to
her.
NICOLET (O.S.)
Ever heard of a fella named Beaumont
Livingston?
Not a word.
NICOLET (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Don't know Beaumont? That's funny
'cause Beaumont knows you. Well he
did know you, Beaumont was found in
the trunk of a car - dead. Shot
twice. Once in the head and once in
the chest.
Jackie, she puts the "ool" in "cool."
NICOLET (O.S.) (CONT'D)
I had the chance to talk to Beaumont
yesterday. You see, like you,
Beaumont found himself in some hot
water. He was looking at ten years he
was pretty sure he didn't want to do
and was understandably concerned. Now
maybe you don't know Beaumont, but
Beaumont knew you, and maybe so does
the guy who blew Beaumont's head off.
Not a word.
DARGUS (O.S.)
If you don't want to talk to us, I
guess we'll just have to hand you
over to Customs.
Jackie puts out her cigarette.
JACKIE
Okay, let's go.
She stares down the cops.
DARGUS AND NICOLET
We cut to the detective and the special agent for the
first time in the scene.
DARGUS
You know, Miss Brown, there's
basically three types of people that
we come along in the performance of
our duty. One is, INNOCENT PEOPLE.
Victims, witnesses, innocent
bystanders... You ain't any of these.
Then there's two; CRIMINALS. These
sonabitches have dedicated their
lives to a life outside the law. That
ain't you either. Where you belong is
the third category. The category we
refer to as LOSERS.
Jackie's eyes don't even narrow at the insult. She just
says without expression;
JACKIE
I'm not a loser.
DARGUS
Oh, you're both? In 1985 you were
flying for TWA and got busted for
carrying drugs. You were carrying
them for a pilot husband of yours. He
did time and you got off. But that
ended your career with the big
airlines. Cut to thirteen years
later. You're forty-four years of
age. You're flying for the shittiest
little shuttle-fucking piece of shit
Mexican airline that there is. Where
you make a whopping twelve-thousand
dollars a year. That ain't a hulluva
lot to show for a twenty year career.
And to top it off, you're going to
jail. Now true, the judge, even with
your prior, will probably only give
you a year or two. But this doesn't
seem like the time of life you got
years to throw away.
(pause)
Now, we don't like trying losers like
they're criminals. But in the absence
of a criminal, we will try you. Now,
wasn't this money given to you by an
American living in Mexico by the name
of Cedric Walker?
Jackie remains unmoved by this monologue.
Nicolet joins back in.
NICOLET
You know, ol' Beaumont wasn't much
for talkin', either. Yeah, he told us
about you and Mr. Walker, but whoever
the hell it was he worked for out
here, he wouldn't say. Could it be
the same person you were supposed to
deliver this money to?
Jackie just stares at them, saying nothing.
Dargus sits behind his desk, with Jackie's flight bag on
it.
DARGUS
I'd like your permission to open this
again. So we'll know exactly how much
money we're talkin' about here.
Jackie gets up from her chair, walks over to the desk,
unzips the bag, takes out the manila envelope and drops
it on the desk.
JACKIE
Help yourself.
DARGUS
While you're at it, let me see what
else is in there. You mind?
She reaches in the bag and brings out a pocketbook.
JACKIE
My pocketbook.
DARGUS
What's in it?
JACKIE
Beauty products.
Nicolet takes the manila envelope.
NICOLET
I'll count the money.
Dargus points at a clear plastic bag with pills and
packets in it.
DARGUS
What's this?
JACKIE
That's my diet shit.
Nicolet takes out the bills from the envelope.
DARGUS
Let's see what else is in there.
Nicolet takes the bills and looks inside the envelope.
His expression changes to a shit-eating grin.
NICOLET
Oh, Miss Brown?
JACKIE
Yeah?
Nicolet pulls out a clear cellophane sandwich bag with a
half-inch or so of white powder inside.
NICOLET
And what would this be, Sweet and
Low?
JACKIE
What the fuck is that shit?
NICOLET
I know what it looks like.
JACKIE
You planted that shit on me.
Nicolet and Dargus laugh at that.
JACKIE
Look, that shit ain't mine.
NICOLET
(to Dargus)
It isn't enough for Trafficking, but
how 'bout Posession with the Intent
to Distribute?
DARGUS
Oh, I wouldn't be so sure. What with
all the cash, I think I could go with
Conspiracy to Traffic.
JACKIE
I'm tellin' you, I don't know nothin'
about that fuckin' shit.
NICOLET
Well then, Miss Brown. Why don't you
have a seat and tell us who might
know something about this fuckin'
shit.
Jackie just looks at the two grinning Cheshire cats as
the balance of power rolls over on her.
CUT TO:
EXT. TORRANCE MUNICIPAL COURTHOUSE - DAY
A Los Angeles County Jail bus pulls up behind the
Torrance Court House.
INT. COUNTY JAIL BUS - DAY
Jackie, now wearing County Jail blues, sits next to
another BLACK WOMAN. Their hands cuffed together.
The bus stops. A rough-looking FEMALE COUNTY SHERIFF
unlocks the gate that encloses the prisoners. Then
explains in a you-better-do-exactly-what-I-say manner,
how they're going to leave the bus.
EXT. COUNTY JAIL BUS - DAY
MANY WOMEN, including Jackie, all wearing county blues
and handcuffed to each other, exit the bus.
The SHERIFFS lead them into the back entrance to the
court house.
INT. HALLWAY COURTHOUSE - DAY
Dargus and Nicolet confer with the PUBLIC DEFENDER, an
attractive blonde woman in a nice business suit.
DARGUS
If she'll cooperate with us, we'll
turn possession with intent into
plain ol' Possession, and she can
bond outta here for one thousand
bucks. If she doesn't help us, we'll
go for the Intent and request a
twenty-five-thousand dollar bond.
INT. COURTROOM - DAY
Jackie and the Public Defender. Jackie, in her county
blues; Public Defender in her nice suit.
JACKIE
You tell those guys they'll have to
do one helluva lot better than that
before I'll even say 'hi' to them.
PUBLIC DEFENDER
Well, that's the State's offer. If
you plead to possession and tell
L.A.P.D. what they want to know, your
bond will be set at one-thousand
dollars. If you don't, L.A.P.D. will
request one at twenty- five thousand
based on your prior record and risk
of flight. If you don't post it or
don't know anyone who can, you'll
spend six to eight weeks in County
before your arraignment comes up.
JACKIE
Who's side are you on?
PUBLIC DEFENDER
I beg your pardon?
JACKIE
What if I plead guilty?
PUBLIC DEFENDER
And cooperate? You might get
probation.
JACKIE
If I don't cooperate?
PUBLIC DEFENDER
With the prior? You could get
anywhere from a year to five
depending on the judge. You want to
think about it? You got two minutes
before we're up.
COURT IN SESSION
It's a full schedule in court today. Jackie sits with a
bunch of other females wearing county blues in the
defendant's area (where the jury sits during a jury
trial)
Dargus and Nicolet sit in the courtroom.
The JUDGE reads the next case.
JUDGE
Brown. Case number 700324.
Jackie rises amongst the other defendants.
The P.D. rises.
Dargus, the arresting officer, rises.
JUDGE
The charge is possession of Narcotics
with the Intent to Distribute. How
does your client plead?
PUBLIC DEFENDER
She wishes to stand mute, your honor.
JUDGE
Very well...
(to Dargus)
... Detective Dargus - You're the
arresting officer in his case,
correct?
DARGUS
That's correct, your honor.
JUDGE
You have a recommendation for bail?
DARGUS
Yes, I do, your honor. Based on the
defendant's prior conviction and the
extreme possibility of flight due to
her occupation, the State requests a
bond of no less than twenty-five
thousand.
The Judge looks at the report, then at Jackie...
JUDGE
I'll set bond at ten thousand and set
the date of August 14th for the
arraignment.
JACKIE
When is that, your honor?
JUDGE
That's six weeks from now, Miss
Brown. We'll continue this matter
then. Owens, case 72242.
Jackie sits down.
Dargus sits down next to Nicolet. They smile and giggle
together.
Jackie sees them giggle like fifth graders. It fucking
pisses her off.
DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
We go from a CLOSEUP of a boiling Jackie, to a
perspective from the back of the courtroom.
We see Jackie in the defendant's area.
We see the two happy detectives walk past us on their way
out of the courtroom.
ORDELL
Sits in the back, watching the proceedings without any
expression. When he's seen enough, he stands up and out
of the shot leaving an EMPTY FRAME.
FADE TO BLACK
TITLE CARD
"MAX CHERRY"
FADE UP ON:
INT. MAX CHERRY'S OFFICE - DAY
The bathroom door in Max's office. We hear a toilet flush
behind it. The door opens, and Max Cherry emerges,
zipping up his pants with a TV guide in his hand.
He looks up and stops dead.
Ordell sitting oh-so comfortably in the chair in front of
Max's desk.
ORDELL
Unh... unh... unh... I din't hear you
wash your hands.
Max looks at Ordell, then takes his place behind his
desk.
MAX
Comfortable?
ORDELL
The door was opened, so I just came
right in.
MAX
I can see that. Why?
ORDELL
I got some more business for ya.
MAX
Oh, yeah? What did he do?
ORDELL (O.S.)
She is an airline stewardess. Got
caught coming back from Mexico with
some blow. They set her bond this
afternoon at ten thousand. Now, what
I was thinkin', you could use the ten
thousand you owe me from Beaumont and
move it over on to the stewardess.
MAX
The bond for possession is only a
thousand.
ORDELL
They fuckin' wit' her. They callin'
it Possession with Intent. A black
woman in her forties gets busted with
less than two ounces on her, they
call that shit Intent. Same shit
happened to a movie star. It's
Possession.
MAX
It still sounds high.
ORDELL
She had, I believe it was... fifty
grand on her, too. There was a cop at
the hearing. Young guy with L.A.P.D.
wanted her bond set at twenty-five
thousand, saying there was a risk of
flight. Jackie being a stewardess and
all.
MAX
Before we start talking about
stewardess, let's get Beaumont out of
the way first.
Sitting back in the chair - almost grinning - but not
quite.
ORDELL
Somebody already did.
MAX
What?
ORDELL
You didn't hear?
MAX
Hear what?
ORDELL
Somebody with a grudge blew
Beaumont's brains out - hey, that
rhymes - blew Beaumont's brains out.
MAX
Did the police contact you?
ORDELL
Very first motherfuckin' thing they
did. They see I put up a big money
bond on my boy, they start thinking
with that where-there's-smoke-there's
fire logic. They roust my ass outta
bed, ten o'clock in the morning.
Fuckin' scare my woman, Sherona, half
to death. She thought they were gonna
take my ass away for sure.
MAX
The stewardess. Do you know her last
name?
ORDELL
(smiles)
Brown, Jackie Brown.
MAX
What does she do for you?
ORDELL
Who says she does anything for me?
She's my friend. When my friends get
into trouble, I like to help 'em out.
MAX
Beaumont worked for you.
ORDELL
That's what the police thought. I
told them I'm unemployed, how could I
have anybody work for me? Now I bail
out Jackie, I'm liable to have the
police on me again, huh? Wanting to
know was she doing things for me, was
she bringing me that money!
MAX
Was she?
ORDELL
Is this, me and you, like a lawyer-
client relationship? The lawyer can't
tell nothing he hears?
MAX
You're not my client until you get
busted and I bond you out.
ORDELL
If there's no - what do you call it -
confidentiality between us? Why would
I tell you anything?
MAX
Cause you want me to know what a
slick guy you are. You got
stewardesses bringing you fifty
grand.
ORDELL
Why would a stewardess bring me fifty
grand?
MAX
You want me to speculate on what you
do. I'd say you're in the drug
business, except the money's moving
in the wrong direction. Whatever
you're into, you seem to be getting
away with it, so more power to you.
Okay you want another bond, and you
want to move over the ten thousand
you put down on Beaumont to the
stewardess. That means paperwork. I
have to get a death certificate,
present it to the court, fill out a
receipt for return of bond
collateral, then type up another
application. An indemnity agreement -
ORDELL
- Jackie aint got time for all that
shit -
MAX
- I'm telling you what I have to do.
What you have to do, in case you
forgot, is come up with premium of a
thousand bucks.
ORDELL
I got it. I just don't got it on me.
MAX
Well, come back when you do, and I'll
bond out the stewardess.
ORDELL
Man, you know I'm good for it.
Thousand bucks ain't shit.
MAX
If I don't see it in front of me,
you're right. It ain't shit.
ORDELL
Man, you need to look at this with a
little compassion. Jackie ain't no
criminal. She ain't used to this
kinda treatment. I mean, gangsters
don't give a fuck - but for the
average citizen, coupla nights in
County fuck with your mind.
MAX
Ordell, this isn't a bar, an you
don't have a tab.
ORDELL
Just listen for a second. We got a
forty-year-old, gainfully employed
black woman, falsely accused -
MAX
Falsely accused? She didn't come back
from Mexico with cocaine on her?
ORDELL
Falsely accused of Intent. If she had
that shit - and mind you, I said "if"
- it was just her shit to get high
with.
MAX
Is white guilt supposed to make me
forget I'm running a business?
Ordell gives up and takes an envelope out of his pocket.
ORDELL
Okay, man. I got your money. But
don't you ever ask me for no fuckin'
favor.
INT. MAX'S CADILLAC (MOVING) - NIGHT
It's early evening; and Max's powder-blue Seville is
driving to the County Jail with a client, a young
Hispanic woman of twenty named ANITA.
MAX
Tomorrow I'll talk to your probation
officer. Karen's a good kid, but
she's mad at you, because you lied to
her. This business about your
grandmother's funeral
ANITA
I went. I did. I took my mother and
little brother.
MAX
But you didn't ask permission. You
broke a trust. If you had asked,
Karen probably would have let you.
I'm sure she would.
ANITA
I know. That's why I went.
MAX
But then you told her you were home.
ANITA
Sure, 'cause I didn't ask her if I
could go.
Max gives up.
MAX
I don't know. Maybe it's a language
problem.
(getting stern)
Anita, you ever cause this much
heartache over something that could
easily be avoided, I'll never write
you again. You understand?
ANITA
I understand.
MAX
I mean it. I don't care how many
times your mother calls or how much
she cries.
Like an exasperated teenager.
ANITA
I understand.
MAX
Then say "Yes, Max. I understand."
ANITA
Yes, Max, I understand.
INT. L.A. COUNTY JAIL - NIGHT
POV THROUGH A WIRE MESH CAGE
Max and Anita, side by side. Anita's hands are cuffed
behind her back.
MAX
Dropping off and picking up. Dropping
of Lopez, Anita. Picking up Brown,
Jackie.
We're at the admitting desk of the L.A. County Jail. Max
undoes Anita's handcuffs, while a SHERIFF waits to take
her away.
ANITA
So you're gonna call Karen tomorrow?
MAX
I'll call her.
ANITA
Won't forget?
MAX
I won't forget.
She kisses Max on the cheek and the Sheriff takes her
away.
ANITA
Thanks, Max. See you later.
Max puts the cuffs away, sits on a bench, takes out a Len
Deighton paperback and begins to read.
FADE TO BLACK
FADE UP:
MAX
Still reading his novel. We hear offscreen, a SHERIFF'S
voice.
SHERIFF (O.S.)
Max! Here she comes.
Max puts his book down and see -
Jackie being led into the Admitting Area by TWO SHERIFFS.
She's wearing her stewardess uniform and carrying a small
envelope with her belongings in it and her shoes. When
Max was imagining a woman in her forties, he had someone
with a bit of wear and tear on them in mind. But this
Jackie Brown's a knockout.
As he watches her, she steps out of the County Jail
slippers she was wearing and slips into her shoes.
He approaches, handing her his card.
MAX
Miss Brown... I'm Max Cherry. I'm
your bail bondsman.
She takes the card and shakes his hand saying nothing.
MAX (CONT'D)
I can give you a lift home if you'd
like?
JACKIE
Okay.
INT. MAX'S CADILLAC - NIGHT
Max puts his key in the ignition, when Jackie asks;
JACKIE
Are you really a bail bondsman?
MAX
Who do you think I am?
She doesn't answer.
MAX (CONT'D)
I gave you my card there.
JACKIE
Can I see your I.D.?
MAX
You're serious?
She waits.
Max digs the case out of his pocket, hands it to her,
then reaches up and turns on the light above them for her
to see.
MAX'S ID: SURETY AGENT LICENSED BY THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA
JACKIE
Who put up my bond? Ordell?
MAX
In cash.
She looks straight ahead.
Max shifts into drive.
Max rolls down his window at the front gate. A DEPUTY
comes out of the gatehouse and hands through the window
Max's .38 revolver, cylinder opened. Max hands the Deputy
his pass in exchange for the gun, says "thanks", then
puts the .38 in his glovebox in front of Jackie. He
drives on.
MAX AND JACKIE (MOVING)
JACKIE
Can we stop for cigarettes?
MAX
Sure, ever been to the Riverbottom?
JACKIE
I don't think so.
MAX
It's okay. It's a cop hangout.
JACKIE
Couldn't we just stop at a seven-
eleven?
MAX
I thought you might want a drink?
JACKIE
I'd love one, but not there.
MAX
We could stop at the Hilton by the
airport.
JACKIE
Is it dark?
MAX
It's kind of a sports bar
JACKIE
That doesn't sound dark.
MAX
Why does it need to be dark?
JACKIE
'Cause I look like I just got outta
jail, that's why. You droppin' me off
at home, right? There's a place by
me.
MAX
Great.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE COCKATOO INN - NIGHT
A big neon sign of a cockatoo sits on op of a red brick
inn.
INT. THE COCKATOO INN - NIGHT
CLOSEUP - A KNOB is pulled out.
Jackie picks up a pack of Mild Seven's cigarettes from
the bottom of a cigarette machine. She crosses the bar to
join Max, sitting at a small table waiting for her to
return.
The Cockatoo Inn is just what Jackie was looking for. A
dark and red cocktail lounge in Hawthorne off of
Hawthorne Boulevard by the apartment where the stewardess
lives (about ten minutes from LAX)
The clientele of the Cockatoo is an older, black crowd
and an even older white crowd who'd been coming here
years before it became a black bar.
A JUKEBOX plays soft, old-school R&B.
Jackie and Max sit side by side at a small table, lit by
a bar candle in a red glass thing.
Max drinks Bushmills over crushed ice. Jackie drinks
white wine. Jackie opens her Mild Sevens, offering one to
Max.
MAX
No thanks, I quit three years ago.
As she lights her cigarette.
JACKIE
You gain weight?
MAX
Ten pounds. I lose it and put it back
on.
JACKIE
That's why I don't quit. If I can't
fly anymore, I'm gonna have a bitch
of a time gettin' my brand.
MAX
What's your brand?
JACKIE
Davidoffs. I get 'em in Mexico.
They're hard to find here. I was
locked up with the last two getting
legal advice from a woman who was in
for bustin' her boyfriend's head open
with a baseball bat.
MAX
Was she helpful?
JACKIE
She was more helpful than the fuckin'
Public Defender.
(she takes a sip of wine)
I don't know - I guess what I need is
a lawyer, find out what my options
are.
MAX
You know, I figured out the other day
I've written something like' fifteen
thousand bonds since I've been in the
business. I'd say about eighty
percent of them were at least drug
related. If you want, I can help you
look at your options.
Jackie takes the talk in a different direction.
JACKIE
You're not tired of it?
MAX
(smiles)
I am, as a matter of fact.
A moment of silence between them, they both take drinks.
MAX (CONT'D)
What have they told you?
JACKIE
So far I've been told I can cooperate
and get probation, maybe. Or, I can
stand mute and get as much as five
years. Does that sound right?
MAX
I'd say if you're tried and found
guilty you won't get more than a year
and a day. That's State time. Prison.
JACKIE
(under her breath)
Shit.
MAX
But they won't want to take you to
trial. They'll offer you simple
Possession, a few months of County
time, and a year or two probation.
(pointing to her drink)
How 'bout another?
JACKIE
Sure.
Max gestures to an older black cocktail waitress named
ROWEN for two more.
MAX
You know who put the dope in your
bag?
JACKIE
Yeah, but that's not what this was
about. They were fuckin waitin' for
my ass. They knew I had that money,
they even knew the amount. The one
who searched my bag, from L.A.P.D.,
Dargus, hardly even looked at it.
"Oh, I'd say there's fifty thousand
here. What would you say?" But all
they could do was threaten me and
hand me over to Customs, and I could
tell they didn't want to do that.
MAX
They wanted you to tell them what you
know.
JACKIE
I had 'em too. I burnt those two
Starky and Hutch motherfuckers down.
Then their asses lucked out and found
that coke.
MAX
What did they want to know?
JACKIE
Who gave me the money and who I was
giving it to. And some guy they found
in a trunk with his head blown off.
Said it was him who told them 'bout
me.
The Waitress comes with the drinks.
ROWEN
Can I get you two some popcorn?
MAX
No, thanks.
Rowen exits.
MAX (CONT'D)
That would be Beaumont Livingston.
JACKIE
That's him. How do you know 'em?
MAX
I wrote him on Monday. They found him
dead on Tuesday.
JACKIE
Ordell pick up his bond?
MAX
Same as you. Ten thousand.
JACKIE
The federal agent kinda half hinted
Ordell might of done Beaumont.
MAX
You mentioned a guy from L.A.P.D.,
but you didn't mention the Federal.
JACKIE
I didn't?
MAX
No, you didn't. What branch?
JACKIE
Ray Nicolet with Alcohol, Tobacco,
and Firearms.
Max puts it together.
MAX
He's the one who wants you.
JACKIE
It was the other guy who busted me.
MAX
'Cause if he busted you, you'd play
hell bonding out of federal court. He
doesn't want you mad at him, he wants
you to tell him what you know. He
uses you to get a line on Ordell,
make a case, then take him federal.
You know what Ordell's into?
JACKIE
I have a pretty good idea. Ordell
aint no bootlegger and I doubt he's
smugglin' Cuban cigars. So that only
leaves one thing an A.T.F. man would
be interested in.
Jackie waits a moment before answering, weighs things in
her mind and makes a decision.
JACKIE
I used to bring over ten thousand at
a time. That's the legal limit, so I
never brought more than that.
MAX
How many trips did you make?
JACKIE
With ten thousand? Nine.
MAX
He's got that kinda money?
JACKIE
It's all in lock boxes in a Mexico
bank. But he's got a problem. He's -
what do you call it when you got
money, but don't have cash?
MAX
Cash poor?
JACKIE
That's it. He's cash poor. He kept on
me till I finally said okay. I'll
bring whatever fits in a nine-by-
twelve envelope. I got paid five
hundred dollars, and his friend, Mr.
Walker, in Mexico gave me the
envelope.
MAX
If you knew bringing anything over
ten thousand was against the law, why
not pack a hundred grand?
Jackie gets exasperated.
JACKIE
Whatever it was had to fit in my bag
and not hit you in the face if the
bag was opened. This ain't solvin' my
problem. I gotta figure out a way to
either keep my job or get out of
trouble. I'm of today, but if I can't
leave the country I'm out of a job.
And if I don't got a job, I can't
hire a lawyer.
MAX
Ask A.T.F. They might give you
permission.
JACKIE
Yeah, if I cooperate.
MAX
Well, Jackie, you got caught, you're
gonna have to give 'em something.
JACKIE
But if all I can give 'em is Ordell's
name - I don't really know shit about
what he does or how he does it - That
don't give me much to bargain with.
MAX
Give 'em what you got. Offer to help.
Show a willingness to be helpful. You
want to stay out of jail, don't you?
Max looks at Jackie thinking about something.
MAX (CONT'D)
What'dya think?
CLOSEUP JACKIE
JACKIE
I think maybe I have more options
than I thought.
DISSOLVE TO:
CLOSEUP: ORDELL
Sitting in his black Mercedes, parked across the street
from Jackie's apartment building in Hawthorne. Johnny
Cash is playing inside his car.
EXT. JACKIE'S APARTMENT COMPLEX - NIGHT
ORDELL'S POV
Through the windshield, he sees Max's powder-blue
Cadillac Seville pull up to Jackie's apartment. She gets
out, ten bends down and talks to him through the window
of the passenger side door. Then makes a goobye gesture
and turns, walking into her apartment complex. Max drives
off.
ORDELL
While Johnny Cash continues crooning, Ordell puts on his
gloves. Then opens up his glovebox, taking out a little
Targa .22 pistol. He steps out of the car, slipping the
pistol into his coat pocket. We STEDICAM in front of him
as he walks across the street to Jackie's apartment. Once
inside the complex, Ordell passes us and WE FOLLOW BEHIND
HIM, up to Jackie's ground-floor apartment door.
He gives it a soft knock with one knuckle. He waits a
moment, then Jackie opens the door.
ORDELL
How you doing, Ms. Jackie?
JACKIE
I was expecting you. Come in.
Jackie holds the door open for him.
INT. JACKIE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Ordell steps inside. He moves over by a halogen lamp in
the living room.
ORDELL
You got some booze?
Jackie still standing by the door. She doesn't look
frightened.
JACKIE
I got some vodka in the freezer.
ORDELL
Got some o.j.?
JACKIE
Yeah.
Ordell turns the halogen lamp to dim.
ORDELL
Well, then, why don't you be a good
hostess and make me a screwdriver?
JACKIE
Sure.
Jackie moves into the kitchen area. Ordell follows her,
hanging in the doorway, while she makes the drink. Jackie
doesn't turn on the light.
ORDELL
You gonna thank me?
Taking a glass from the cupboard.
JACKIE
For what?
ORDELL
Who you think got your ass outta
jail?
Opening the freezer and filling a glass with ice cubes
and taking out vodka.
JACKIE
The same guy who put me in, thanks a
lot.
ORDELL
Hey, you get caught with blow, that's
our business.
Opens refrigerator, light cuts into the kitchen. She
takes out orange juice, then closes the door.
JACKIE
It wasn't mine.
Ordell has to stop and think.
Jackie makes screwdriver.
ORDELL
Oh, shit. I bet it was that present
Mr. Walker was sending Melanie.
Yaaaah, he's the one musta put it in
there if you didn't. Oh, man, that
shit's uncalled for, baby, and I
apologize. I 'magine they asked you a
shitload of questions about it, huh?
All that money, want to know where
you got it?
Jackie doesn't answer. She just walks up to Ordell
handing him his yellow drink in the darkness. Ordell
takes it, continues to look at Jackie.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
I'magine they asked who you givin' it
to, too.
JACKIE
They asked.
ORDELL
And what was your answer?
JACKIE
I said I wanted to talk to a lawyer.
ORDELL
You positive about that? You weren't
nervous and let something slip by
mistake? If you did, I ain't mad, I
just gotta know.
Jackie says to his face;
JACKIE
You're not asking the right
questions.
Then she walks past him back to the living room. She goes
over to the halogen lamp, turning the light up brighter,
then moves by the door, still standing and looking at
Ordell in the kitchen doorway.
JACKIE
Beaumont Livingston.
ORDELL
I knew it.
JACKIE
And they asked if I knew Mr. Walker.
Ordell by the halogen lamp. He turns it back to dim.
ORDELL
Yeah?
JACKIE
I didn't tell 'em anything.
Ordell moves slowly towards Jackie.
ORDELL
My name come up?
Jackie slowly shakes her head "no."
Ordell directly in front of Jackie, he gently places his
gloved hands on her shoulders.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
You say anything about me?
Jackie shakes her head "no."
ORDELL (CONT'D)
Well, that's mighty honorable of you.
Ordell's gloved fingertips move up her collarbone to her
throat, gently touching her skin. Jackie locks eyes with
his, but still shows no fear.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
This fella Beaumont, they say what
happened to him?
JACKIE
They told me.
At this moment the film becomes a:
SPLIT SCREEN
On the RIGHT-HAND SIDE is Ordell with his hands barely
touching Jackie's throat. On the LEFT-HAND SIDE is Max
driving home in his Seville.
MAX IN CAR
Max drives home, an almost moony romantic look no his
face. He can't stop thinking about Jackie. During the
night she'd have a gleam in her eyes, the look saying;
"WE COULD HAVE FUN". Unless she was appraising kinda him
with the look, making a judgment and what it said was; "I
COULD USE YOU". Either way it was a turn-on.
Max pulls into the driveway of his small house in
Torrance.
ORDELL AND JACKIE
ORDELL
Yeah, somebody musta been real mad at
Beaumont. Or they were afraid of
what he might say to keep from doin
some time. I'magine from time-to-time
they asked you a whole shitload of
questions. And you didn't give 'em no
answer?
Jackie shakes her head from side to side.
Ordell moves his thumbs from her collarbone to the middle
of her throat.
ORDELL
You scared of me?
Jackie shakes her head from side to side without her eyes
leaving his. Reaches over the seat
ORDELL
You got a reason to be nervous with
me?
With his hands on Jackie's throat, staring into the
woman's eyes, from BELOW FRAME then feels something hard
the fuck against his crotch. Neither break eye contact.
Ordell hears a CLICK.
Can't believe it.
MAX IN CAR
Max takes his keys, then to the glove box...
THE GLOVE BOX
The gun is gone.
MAX
Where is it?
A CLOSEUP OF MAX'S GUN IN ORDELL ORDELL'S CROTCH
ORDELL
Is that what I think it is?
JACKIE
What do you think it is?
CLOSEUP GUN IN CROTCH
ORDELL
I think it's a gun pressing against
my dick.
JACKIE
You thought right... Now take your
hands from around my throat, nigga.
Ordell flashes his hustler's smile and lets go.
END OF SPLIT SCREEN
Jackie turns Ordell around, gun firmly in his back, and
pushes him against the wall.
ORDELL
What the hell you doin'?
JACKIE
Shut your ass up and grab the wall!
Jackie has Ordell against the wall and is frisking him
the way a cop would. She finds the .22 pistol in his
pocket
ORDELL
Now, baby, that's got nothin' to do
with you. I just carry that. You been
listenin' to them cops too much.
JACKIE
The cops didn't try and strangle my
ass.
ORDELL
Damn, Jackie, I was just playin' with
you.
JACKIE
Well, I ain't playin with you. I'm
gonna unload both these
motherfuckers, you don't do what I
tell you. Understand what I'm saying?
ORDELL
Baby, I ain't come here -
She shoves both guns in Ordell's back.
JACKIE
I said, you understand what I'm
saying
ORDELL
I understand woman, damn!
JACKIE
Go sit over in that chair.
Ordell moves over to a chair across from the couch.
Ordell still tries bullshit...
ORDELL
I'm tellin' you, those cops been
fuckin' wit your mind. They turn
black against black, that's how they
do.
JACKIE
Shut your raggedy ass up and sit
down.
Ordell sits.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
Put both hands behind our head.
Ordell does...
ORDELL
This shits gettin silly now...
Jackie turns the halogen lamp to light.
JACKIE
I gotta tell you to shut up one more
time, I'm gonna shut you up.
Jackie sits down on the couch, holding a gun in each
hand, both pointed dead at Ordell.
A coffee table lays between them.
Ordell, hands behind his head, continues to mumble...
ORDELL
I just came here to talk.
JACKIE
Way I see it, me and you only got one
thing to talk about. What you willing
to do for me?
Ordell looks at her a moment and says;
ORDELL
Well, I can get you a good lawyer -
Jackie shakes her head "no!"
JACKIE
Let's get realistic, baby. Sooner or
later they're gonna get around to
offering me a plea deal, and you know
that. That's why you came here to
kill me.
ORDELL
- Baby, I didn't -
JACKIE
- It's okay. I forgive you. Now,
let's say if I tell on you, I walk.
And if I don't, I go to jail.
Ordell, very interested.
ORDELL
Yeah?
JACKIE
One hundred thousand put in an escrow
account in my name, if I'm convicted
up to a year, or put on probation. If
I have to do more than a year, you
pay another hundred thousand.
Ordell just takes in what the woman said.
ORDELL
I got a problem...
JACKIE
All your money's in Mexico.
Ordell has to smile at the woman.
ORDELL
Yeah.
JACKIE
I been thinkin about that, too, and I
got me a idea.
TIME CUT:
DOORWAY
Ordell goes through FRAME, out the door, Jackie steps
into FRAME, and talks with him.
JACKIE
I'll talk to the cops tomorrow and
tell you if it's on.
ORDELL (O.S.)
Talk to you tomorrow.
Ordell leaves.
Jackie shuts the door, and leaves FRAME.
FADE TO BLACK
OVER BLACK
We hear a knock-knock on the door.
FADE UP ON:
SAME SHOT DORWAY
Except it's day. Jackie in a bathrobe steps into FRAME
and opens the door. She says to the yet-unseen-by-camera
visitor;
JACKIE
You want your gun, don't you? Come
in. I'll go get it.
She leaves FRAME, and Max enters it, closing the door
behind him. Max stands by the door, a little surprised
and a touch pissed at the nonchalantness.
As he stands on the threshold to her living room, waiting
for her to return with the gun, feeling foolish, he
thinks about hauling her ass back to the stockade.
That'll change her expression, he'd bet.
She returns from the bedroom, gun in hand, wearing a sort
of sad smile.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
Max, I'm sorry. I was afraid if I
asked to borrow it you'd say no.
You'd have to. Would you like some
coffee?
Then, as quickly as the anger rose in Max, it dissipates
completely, leaving only curiosity.
MAX
If you're having some.
JACKIE
I am. Have a seat.
Jackie head to the kitchen, making the coffee. Max sits
at the dining table off of the kitchen.
MAX
You get a chance to use it?
JACKIE
I felt a lot safer having it. My milk
went bad when I was in jail.
MAX
Black's fine.
She puts a finger in the coffeemaker and starts scooping
coffee in it.
MAX (CONT'D)
You want to hang on to it awhile? It
wouldn't be legal, but if it makes -
Jackie goes to the sink, filling the coffee pot.
JACKIE
Thanks, but I have my own now.
MAX
You went out this morning and bought
a gun?
She turns off the water.
JACKIE
What, I couldn't hear you?
MAX
You went out this morning and bought
a gun.
Pouring water into the coffee machine.
JACKIE
Let's just say I got one, okay?
She turns on the coffeemaker.
MAX
Somebody loan it to you?
JACKIE
Yeah.
Jackie leaves the kitchen.
Max's eyes follow her to the living room.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
Want to hear some music?
MAX
Sure.
Jackie ends her knees and goes through a stack of records
leaned up against the wall on the floor.
JACKIE
I couldn't wait till I got home last
night and wash my hair.
MAX
It looks nice.
She finds a record, takes it out of the pile, removes the
album from the sleeve, and places it on her stereo
turntable.
MAX (CONT'D)
You never got into the whole CD
revolution?
JACKIE
I got a few. But I can't afford to
start all over again. I got too much
time and money invested in my
records.
The song starts; it's an old romantic soul music number
from the early seventies.
MAX
Yeah, but you can't get new stuff on
records.
Jackie picks up her cigarettes off the coffee table.
JACKIE
I don't buy new stuff that often.
Jackie enters the kitchen door frame by Max. She lights a
cigarette and stands.
Max listens to the soul song.
MAX
This is pretty.
JACKIE
Uh-huh.
MAX
Who is this?
JACKIE
The Delfonics.
MAX
'76?
JACKIE
'74, I think.
MAX
It's nice.
They listen for a moment.
JACKIE
I called in sick this morning. As far
as the airline knows, I'm still
available.
MAX
Are you?
JACKIE
I don't know yet. 'm going to talk
with Dargus and Nicolet today. Do
what you suggested. Offer to help and
see what happens.
MAX
What I meant was have a lawyer do the
negotiating for you.
JACKIE
I want to talk to them first. I know
more now about Ordell's money.
MAX
Well, if the A.T.F. guy is the one
who wants you, that'll only interest
him up to a point.
JACKIE
It's a lot of money. About a half-a-
million dollars. All of it in Cabo in
safe deposit boxes and more comin in.
MAX
How'd you find that out?
JACKIE
He told me last night.
MAX
He called you?
JACKIE
He came by.
MAX
What?... What'd you do?
JACKIE
We talked.
Jackie goes back in the kitchen. Coffee's almost there,
but not quite. She pulls down two mugs from a cabinet.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
He had his doubts at first. But he's
always trusted me an wants more than
anything to believe he still can.
MAX
Why?
JACKIE
He needs me. Without me all that
money is just gonna sit over there in
Cabo. Sugar?
MAX
No thanks. There's gotta be other
ways to get it out.
She pours the coffee.
JACKIE
Maybe, but 'm the only one he's ever
used. He can't trust his other
people. They're crooks. He can try
bringing I in himself, but Ordell
sure don't want to go through no
Customs line. Either he recruits
another Cabo stewardess, or he
continues to trust me. I made him
feel he still can.
Jackie walks to the table with the two coffee mugs and
sits down.
MAX
How do you get it out?
JACKIE
Same way I been don', but first they
got to let me go back to work.
MAX
You're gonna offer to set him up?
JACKIE
If I get let off. Otherwise, fuck
'em.
MAX
It's very possible Ordell's killed
somebody.
JACKIE
I ain't goin' to jail, and I ain't
doin' that probation thing again.
Max watches her a moment
Jackie takes a drink of coffee.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
How do you feel about getting old?
MAX
You're not old. You look great.
JACKIE
I'm asking how you feel. Does it
bother you?
MAX
It's not really something I think
about.
JACKIE
Really?
MAX
Okay, I'm a little sensitive about my
hair. It started falling out ten
years ago. So I did something about
it.
JACKIE
How'd you feel about it?
MAX
I'm fine with it, or I wouldn't of
done it, I did it to feel better
about myself, and I do. When I look
in the mirror it looks like me.
JACKIE
It's different with men.
MAX
You know, I can't really feel too
sorry for you in that department.
Jackie smiles.
MAX (CONT'D)
In fact, I'd make a bet that except
possibly for an Afro - you look
exactly the same as you did at twenty
nine.
Jackie smiles into her coffee.
JACKIE
My ass ain't the same.
MAX
Bigger?
JACKIE
Yeah.
Max smiles.
MAX
Nothin wrong with that.
Jackie's smile grows bigger.
MAX (CONT'D)
Does something else worry you?
JACKIE
I just feel like I'm always starting
over. You said how many bonds you
wrote?
MAX
Fifteen thousand.
JACKIE
Well, I've flown seven million miles.
And I've been waitin' on people
almost twenty years. The best job I
could get after my bust was Cabo Air,
which is about the worst job you can
get in this industry. I make about
sixteen thousand, with retirement
benefits , ain't worth a damn. And
now with this arrest hanging over my
head, I'm scared. If I lose my job I
gotta start all over again, but I got
nothin to start over with. I'll be
stuck with whatever I can get. And
that scares me more than Ordell.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT - DAY
A.T.F. man, Ray Nicolet, moves down the hallway of the
big building... ten heads for the office of Mark Dargus.
He reaches the closed door... raps on it.
DARGUS (O.S.)
Come in.
Nicolet opens the door, revealing Dargus and Jackie Brown
sitting in the office talking.
DARGUS (CONT'D)
Great, you're here.
NICOLET
Hey, Jackie.
Jackie waves.
Dargus stands up and says to Jackie;
DARGUS
Let me have a word outside with Agent
Nicolet for a moment?
JACKIE
Take your time.
DARGUS
Thanks.
NICOLET
Well just be a minute.
JACKIE
Can I smoke?
DARGUS
Go ahead.
The two detectives step outside and close the door on
Jackie as she pulls out her cigarettes.
NICOLET
What's going on?
DARGUS
She wants to make a deal.
NICOLET
She sound scared?
DARGUS
She almost sounds scared.
NICOLET
What's she want?
DARGUS
She wants to go back to work.
NICOLET
What's she willing to give us?
DARGUS
She hasn't one into specifics yet,
she's been waiting for you.
NICOLET
She knows it's my case?
DARGUS
She ain't said it, but she's not
stupid, she knows it's you who wants
her.
CLOSEUP JACKIE
Inside Dargus' office, smoking a Mild Seven.
Dargus and Nicolet come back inside.
NICOLET
Thanks for waiting, Jackie. Now tell
me, what can we do for you?
JACKIE
I need permission to leave the
country so I keep my job.
NICOLET
We can look into that.
JACKIE
I need it tomorrow. If I don't show
up for work tomorrow, I'm fired.
NICOLET
You know what we want.
JACKIE
If I'm working, I can help you.
DARGUS
Help us do what?
JACKIE
Help you get Ordell Robbie.
NICOLET
Oh, so now you know him?
JACKIE
You never asked me if I did or not.
DARGUS
But now you're telling us now you do.
JACKIE
'Course I do - I deliver money for
him.
NICOLET
No shit. You know how he makes hi
money?
JACKIE
He sells guns.
NICOLET
You ever see him sell guns?
JACKIE
No.
NICOLET
Then how do you know he sells guns?
JACKIE
He told me. Besides, why else would
an A.T.F. man be after him?
NICOLET
How can you help us?
JACKIE
Short of wearing a wire, I'll do
everything I can to help you throw
his ass in jail. And in exchange for
my help, I need permission to leave
the country and immunity.
DARGUS
You don't want much, do you?
JACKIE
Can you do it or not?
The two cops look at each other.
DARGUS
(to Nicolet)
It's your call.
Nicolet looks at Jackie.
NICOLE
It's possible.
FADE TO BLACK
TITLE CARD:
"LOUIS GARA & MELANIE"
CUT TO:
FADE UP ON ON TV
Helmut Berger slaps a woman in the face with a newspaper,
proclaiming he's the "mad dog." The film is an Italian
Policier from the seventies.
Melanie sits in a comfy chair long-ways, bare legs
hanging over the arm. As she watches the TV, she picks up
a big bong with it's own handle. He takes a hit.
Melanie's dressed in her usual Melanie-uniform of shorts
and a loose top.
The front door opens, and Ordell and Louis walk through
it carrying shopping bags.
ORDELL
We're back.
MELANIE
'Ola!
We notice that Louis is sportin' new duds. Louis' new
"look" is a retro seventies-style bowling shirt and black
jeans.
Melanie notices the change.
MELANIE (CONT'D)
Hey, hey, hey. I think somebody's got
some new clothes.
ORDELL
We been shoppin'. Can't have my boy
running around lookin' like a bum on
the street.
LOUIS
I didn't look like a bum.
ORDELL
But you did have a Salvation Army-
thing going.
Ordell notices the bong in her hand and the smoke in the
air.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
Goddam, girl. You gettin' high
already. It's only two o'clock.
Melanie smiles.
MELANIE
It's that late?
Louis sits on the couch. He smiles at the comeback.
ORDELL
Ha-ha-ha. I'm serious, you smoke too
much of that shit. That shit robs you
of your ambition.
MELANIE
Not if your ambition is to get high
and watch TV.
Melanie and Louis laugh.
The phone rings.
ORDELL
You two a coupla Cheech and Chongs,
ain't ya.
(he moves towards the
phone - to Melanie)
Oh, that's okay, I'll get it.
He picks it up.
ORDELL
Hello.
(pause)
Hey, Jackie...
(throwing a hard look at
Melanie)
No, Jackie, I didn't get your message.
MELANIE
I was gonna tell you...
Ordell gives her a "silence" gesture and look.
Melanie trades a look with Louis like "I'm in trouble,"
all the while smiling like a shark.
Louis smiles to himself.
Melanie holds up the bong, offering him a hit.
Ordell's on the phone.
ORDELL
No, not on the phone, let's meet
somewhere. But you gotta make sure
they ain't followin' you...
Louis has the bong in front of him.
Melanie stays in her chair long-ways.
LOUIS
Is it ready to go?
MELANIE
Yeah, there's another hit left.
Louis takes it.
Ordell's on the phone.
INT. COCKATOO INN
Jackie sits at the bar talking on their phone. We see
both sides.
JACKIE
The Cockatoo Inn.
ORDELL
The Cockatoo Inn? Where's that?
JACKIE
It's right on Hawthorne Boulevard and
Manhattan Beach Boulevard. It's red
brick...
ORDELL
Oh, wait, you mean that place that
has the big sign with a rooster on
it?
JACKIE
It's a cockatoo.
Louis exhales his smoke, does an older man cough.
MELANIE
You okay?
LOUIS
Yeah, I'm just gettin' old. I can't
smoke or laugh now it seems without
coughing.
MELANIE
Coughing opens up the capillaries.
When you cough, you're getting air -
in this case smoke - to parts of the
lung that don't normally get used.
Coughing's good - gets ya higher. My
dad coughs when he smokes all the
time.
Ordell hangs up the phone.
ORDELL
(to Louis)
Hey, Louis, I have to go out awhile.
So since you like gettin' high so
much, why don't you stay here with
Melanie, get high, and watch
cartoons?
Louis with a smile.
LOUIS
Way ahead of you.
Melanie laughs.
Ordell takes the remote control and turns the station
till he finds a channel with cartoons.
ORDELL
So you just watch this for the next
three hours, and I'll be back. Then,
when I'm through with all my
business, I'll get high. I get high
at night. Walk me to the door, space
girl.
Melanie climbs out of the chair and walks Ordell to the
door,
Ordell says to her in the doorway;
ORDELL (CONT'D)
Hope you don't mind keeping him
company.
MELANIE
No problem.
ORDELL
Try not to rip his clothes off 'em
they're new.
Melanie gives him a sarcastic, "Oh, you're so funny"
look.
Ordell kisses her quick on the mouth, then says past her;
ORDELL (CONT'D)
I'll be back in an hour, man. Just
hang with Mel.
Ordell leaves and Melanie closes the door. She turns
around and looks at Louis.
MELANIE
Want a Metrix?
LOUIS
What's a Metrix?
She crosses to the kitchen.
MELANIE
It's like this major meal in a shake
you drink instead of having a big
meal.
LOUIS
It's a diet thing?
MELANIE
No, it's what body builders drink to
beef up.
LOUIS
No thanks.
She goes into the kitchen and starts making her Metrix
shake.
He looks around and spots something interesting.
TWO SMALL PHOTOGRAPHS
In a clear, plastic frame. Melanie, circa 1976, at about
sixteen wearing roller-disco skates. Melanie, in a green
setting, about five years ago, wearing a pretty Oriental-
style dress, with a "smile for the camera" look on her
face. The photo was obviously a picture of Melanie with
somebody else that's been cut in half. Somebody's
disembodied arm still rests on her shoulder.
Louis picks up the photo frame.
LOUIS
How old were you here?
She looks and sees what he's talking about.
MELANIE
Which one?
LOUIS
The roller disco one.
MELANIE
Fourteen.
Louis walks over.
LOUIS
You're fourteen years old here?
MELANIE
Yeah.
LOUIS
I thought you were sixteen.
MELANIE
I was pretty much the same height now
as I was then.
LOUIS
Were you a disco girl?
MELANIE
Noooo, I was a surfer girl. Besides,
I was only fourteen. I couldn't go to
discos.
LOUIS
So where did you go?
MELANIE
The beach. Or get high, drop acid at
a friend's place. I was a K.L.O.S.
girl. I hated disco.
She hits Whip on her blender. It makes an infernal noise
till she hits Stop!
Carrying the blender full of Metrix, she walks over and
looks at the picture.
MELANIE (CONT'D)
That was taken at a place called
"Flippers." It was in Hollywood. Were
you in L.A. back then?
LOUIS
No.
MELANIE
Where were you?
LOUIS
Detroit.
MELANIE
With Ordell?
LOUIS
We had done time together already.
Melanie drinks her Metrix.
MELANIE
Were you a disco guy?
LOUIS
No.
MELANIE
C'mon, don't lie.
LOUIS
I don't like dancing.
MELANIE
Did you ever go I one?
LOUIS
I went to a few just to meet women.
But I don't like to dance, and it's
so fuckin; loud. During that whole
scene I just drank in bars.
(he points to the cut
picture)
Who didn't make the cut?
MELANIE
That's a picture of me in Japan.
LOUIS
You been to Japan?
MELANIE
I lived there for about nine months.
LOUIS
You lived in Japan, when?
MELANIE
About five years ago.
LOUIS
Who's arm is that?
MELANIE
That's the guy I lived with... his
name was... Hir.Hirosh.
LOUIS
Must of made quite an impression.
MEALINE
I never got to know him, really. I
couldn't speak Japanese, and his
English was terrible. But I couldn't
say anything, because his English was
better than my Japanese.
LOUIS
That sounds like a problem.
MELANIE
Not really. We didn't have much to
say to each other anyway. I never got
to know him that well, but I knew
enough to know I wasn't missing much.
I keep that, because of all the
fuckin' time I was there, that's the
only picture I got of me in Japan.
(she points beyond her
shoulder)
That's Japan.
Melanie looks up at Louis.
MELANIE
Wanna fuck?
LOUIS
Sure.
FADE TO BLACK
OVER BLACK
SUBTITLE:
"THREE MINUTES LATER"
FADE UP:
LOUIS
Lies on the couch on his back and Melanie sits on top of
him. They're going at it like a couple of fuck monkeys.
Almost on the fade up, Louis cums.
MELANIE
That was fun.
She hops off and OUT OF FRAME.
LOUIS
Yeah, that really hit the spot.
MELANIE (O.S.)
Now that's over, let's get to know
each other.
INT. MUSIC STORE - DAY
CLOSEUP a rack of CDs all beginning with "D" are flipped
through, till it stops on one CD, "The Best of the
DELFONICS."
Max is standing in he soul music section o a music store.
He lifts out the CD and turns it over.
It has the song Jackie played this morning.
He smiles and takes the CD up to the register.
CLOSEUP the COCKATOO INN neon sign, unlit during the day.
INT. THE COCKATOO INN - DAY
Ordell walks into the dark red cocktail lounge in the
middle of the day and sees Jackie sitting at the bar
drinking a white wine. Old-school soul plays on the
jukebox. He sits next to her.
ORDELL
I gotta remember this place. This is
all right. Two minutes from your
crib, ten minutes from your work. Not
bad...
A black bartender named FLOYD approaches Ordell.
FLOYD
What's your drink, brother?
ORDELL
Screwdriver.
FLOYD
(to Jackie)
How you doin'?
JACKIE
I'm fine.
FLOYD
Yes, you are.
Jackie smiles.
Floyd makes Ordell's drink.
ORDELL
I bet you come here on a Saturday
night, you need nigga repellent keep
'em off your ass.
JACKIE
I do okay.
ORDELL
You a fine lookin' woman, Jackie. I
bet you do a damn sight better than
okay. You think anybody followed you?
JACKIE
I don't think so, but it don't really
matter. They know I'm meeting you.
ORDELL
How the fuck they know that?
JACKIE
I told them.
Floyd comes back with Ordell's screwdriver.
FLOYD
Three twenty-five.
Ordell digs in his pocket and gives Floyd a five.
ORDELL
Keep it.
FLOYD
Thank you, sir.
Floyd leaves.
ORDELL
(to Jackie)
You told em? You told em it's me?
JACKIE
They already know it's you.
ORDELL
Well, shit. That don't mean you gotta
confirm it!
JACKIE
Look, the only way I can get
permission to fly is if I agree to
help them. Which is what I have to
appear to be doing. So I give them
something they already know. You.
ORDELL
Didja tell 'em anything else?
JACKIE
I told them you got a half a million
dollars in Mexico, and you want me to
bring it here.
Ordell freaks.
ORDELL
You told them that?
JACKIE
It's true, isn't it?
ORDELL
What the fuck's that got to do with
it?
JACKIE
They know I'm delivering for you. I
mention the half-million - they don't
give a fuck about that - They want
you with guns. So I say, well, if you
want proof he's getting paid for
selling them, let me bring the money
in.
ORDELL
What did they say?
Jackie smiles.
JACKIE
Yes.
Ordell smiles.
They both slap palms.
CUT TO:
INT. MELANIE'S BEACH APARTMENT - DAY
CLOSEUP - Louis taking a hit off Melanie's bong.
Louis and Melanie are back in the living room, kicking
back, taking bong hits.
As Louis gets his hit, Melanie talks;
MELANI
... so first he tries to get into the
cocaine business but realizes right
away that shit's too competitive.
Piss the wrong person off, you get
shot. So he says, fuck that - moves
over to guns. You can sell guns
wherever there's a demand. No one
gives a shit. He acts like he's this
big international arms dealer, when,
come on, the only people he ever sold
to were dopers.
Louis finishes his hit and slides the bong back across
the coffee table to Melanie.
LOUIS
He seems to be making out.
Referring to the bong.
MELANIE
Is it dead?
LOUIS
Yeah.
She starts preparing a bowl.
MELANIE
Well, so far he is. But you have to
admit he's not too bright.
LOUIS
I wouldn't go so far as to say that.
Melanie still preparing her bowl.
MELANIE
He moves his lips when he reads, what
does that tell ya. Let's say he's
streetwise. I'll give 'im that. He's
still a fuck-up.
She takes a major bong hit... holds in the smoke... then
while holding in the smoke, says;
MELANIE (CONT'D)
He killed a man worked for him the
other night.
LOUIS
So what are you trying to tell me? I
should get out of here?
Melanie lets out her stream of smoke and flashes her
shark smile.
MELANIE
That's not what I'm saying at all.
(pause) You know where he went?
LOUIS
No.
MELANIE
He went to meet that stewardess.
LOUIS
Does that bother you?
Melanie lets out a sarcastic laugh.
MELANIE
Please.
LOUIS
You live with him.
MELANIE
I live here. He drops in and out. He
tell you about that half-million
dollars he's got in Mexico?
LOUIS
Uh-huh?
MELANIE
Course he did, he tells everybody
who'll listen. That's what he's doin'
with this stewardess. He's scheming
how he can get it over here.
LOUIS
And your point is?
MELANIE
Let him and that stewardess get that
money over here...
LOUIS
Uh-huh?
MELANI
... and just take it from him.
INT. COCKATOO INN - DAY
Jackie explaining the plan to Ordell.
JACKI
... I make two deliveries. The first
one with ten thousand, like a dry
run. They watch it. See how it works.
Then we do a second delivery, when I
bring in the half mill.
ORDELL
Naw, naw, that's too much exposure. I
ain't goin anywhere near that money.
JACKIE
You don't have to. I told 'em you're
real careful. You never pick up money
yourself. You always send someone,
and I never know who it is.
ORDELL
That's a good idea.
JACKIE
If you just listen, you'll see it's a
damn good idea. The first time I do
it they're lurking about. They see me
hand the ten thousand to someone.
ORDELL
Who?
JACKIE
I don't know. One of your friends.
ORDELL
A woman.
JACKIE
If you want.
ORDELL
Yeah, I think a woman.
JACKIE
The next trip, when I come with all
the money, it'll look like I hand it
to the same one I did before...
ORDELL
But you don't?
JACKIE
No, I give it to someone else first.
ORDELL
And they follow the wrong one
thinkin' she's bringing it to me.
JACKIE
That's the idea.
ORDELL
So we need two people, two women.
JACKIE
Can you cover that?
ORDELL
I got the woman covered. Where you
thinkin' about doin' this?
JACKIE
I was thinkin' the Del Amo Mall. In
the food court.
ORDELL
I suppose you see a piece of this for
yourself?
JACKIE
Well, it's my plan. We're in this
together.
ORDELL
Yeah, but it's my money, and I don't
need me a partner.
JACKIE
I ain't your partner, I'm your
manager. I'm managing to get your
money out of Mexico, into America, in
your hands, and I'm managing to do
all this under the nose of the cops.
That makes me your manager, and
managers get fifteen percent.
ORDELL
Managers get ten percent.
JACKIE
That's an agent. Manager's get
fifteen percent.
ORDELL
I'll give ya ten.
JACKIE
Plus the same deal as before.
ORDELL
I can do that.
They clink their glasses together.
CLOSEUP DIGITAL CLOCK
It flips to 11:00 P.M.
It's now getting late at night. Jackie comes home. She's
dressed differently than she was at the Cockatoo. In
fact, she looks like she's coming home from a date.
She walks into her bedroom... kicks off her shoes...
takes her earring off, putting them on the night-stand by
the bed... she sees that her answering machine is
flashing. She hits play.
We begin a SLOW ZOOM into the answering machine. Never
seeing Jackie again.
The machine voice says;
MACHINE VOICE (O.S.)
You have on message. Sent at 8:06
P.M.
Max's voice comes out of the machine.
MAX'S VOICE (O.S.)
Hi, Jackie. It's Max. I was just
calling to find out how everything
went today with A.T.F. If you want to
call me, my home number is 555-6788,
or you can reach me at my office,
which is 555-B-A-I-L. That's also on
the card I gave you when we first met
- I don't know if you still have that
- but it's on it - Oh, let me give
you my beeper number. It's 555-7839.
Okay, so I'll talk to you later. Hope
everything's well. Bye-bye.
MACHINE VOICE (O.S.)
End of message.
FADE TO BLACK
FADE UP ON:
EXT. DEL AMO MALL - DAY
We se the huge Del Amo Mall from the parking area.
A SUBTITLE reads:
"DEL AMO MALL TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA LARGEST INDOOR MALL IN
THE WORLD"
INT. DEL AMO MALL - FOOD COURT - DAY
The Del Amo Mall on a lazy midday in the middle of the
week. A few people, mostly black, mill around, but it's
not like it is on the weekend.
The international food court, where fast-food versions of
international cuisine are available to all the hungry Del
Amo Mall shoppers.
Jackie and Ordell sit at a table in the food court. She
drinks an iced tea from Teriyaki Donut. A collection of
Broadway shopping bags sit on the table.
We join in mid-conversation.
JACKIE
The money's in a Broadway shopping
bag. I get some food, and sit down
here in the food court. Then your
girl comes - you got somebody yet?
ORDELL
Uh-huh.
JACKIE
Who?
ORDELL
What'd you care?
JACKIE
Look, it's my ass facin' the
penitentiary. You send some hard-
headed roc whore, and she fucks
things up.
ORDELL
I ain't gonna send no roc whore. The
woman's cool, I promise.
INT. DEL AMO MALL - U.A. CINEMAS - DAY
We're outside the Del Amo UA Cinemas, a six-screen
theater that's been in the Del Amo Mall since the early
seventies. A small afternoon crowd is exiting the cinema,
having just watched their matinee. Max Cherry is among
them. He exits the theater, and strolls through the mall.
BACK TO JACKIE AND ORDELL
In the food court.
Ordell rises from the table.
Jackie moves a Broadway bag towards him.
JACKIE
Don't forget your bag.
He takes it.
We follow with Ordell out of the food court, when he
stops...
... He see Max Cherry strolling through the mall.
Ordell almost steps into a store to get out of view.
"What the fuck is Max Cherry doing here?"
As Ordell watches, he sees Max head towards the food
court.
MAX
walks into the food court. He stands
looking a all the international fast
food choices in front of him. As he
tries to decide, he hears from behind
him;
JACKIE (O.S.)
Max.
Max turns and sees Jackie siting there drinking her iced
tea, smoking her Mild Seven, and smiling up at him.
Max smiles back.
MAX
Well, hello.
JACKIE
Surprise.
He approaches her table.
MAX
I walked right past you.
JACKIE
I know, ignoring me. What're you up
to?
MAX
Catching a movie.
JACKIE
What'd ya see?
MAX
"American Prseident"
JACKIE
How was it?
MAX
Pretty good. Me and Annette Bening
are goin steady.
JACKIE
Oh, are you? Does she know that?
MAX
No...
(sitting down at the
table)
... I don't believe she's ever heard
of me. But that doesn't mean we're
not going steady.
BACK TO ORDELL
Watching Max sit down and make himself comfortable at
Jackie's table.
ORDELL
(to himself)
What's up with this shit.
BACK TO MAX AND JACKIE
MAX
I think falling in live with movie
stars is something that happens to a
man as he gets older.
JACKIE
Does it happen to all men?
MAX
Well, I'd never be so bold as to
speak for all men, but as or myself
and a few of my friends, that's
definitely the case. There's a lot of
actresses out there you like, and
there's some you have crushes on. But
there's always one who you love. And
with her it's sorta like going
steady.
JACKIE
And Annette's it for you?
MAX
For now. These relationships never
last too long.
With a smile on her face;
JACKIE
That's a goddam man for ya. Can't
even be faithful to a fuckin' movie
star.
Max smiles.
JACKIE
Who was your girl before Annette?
MAX
Sandra Bullock. You know her?
JACKIE
Yeah, she's the girl who drove the
bus in "Speed." She's cute.
MAX
She's adorable. But I had to end it.
JACKIE
Why?
MAX
I'm old enough to be her father.
JACKIE
How old's Annette?
MAX
I don't care.
Gesturing to the Broadway bags on the table.
MAX
What're you, a bag lady?
JACKIE
I go back to work tomorrow.
MAX
You talk them into it?
JACKIE
They seem to like the idea.
MAX
Bring the money in and they follow
it?
JACKIE
Yea, but I'm going to dress it up.
Put the money in a shopping bag and
hand it to someone I meet here.
MAX
You don't actually do it that way?
JACKIE
He always just picked it up at my
place. But with A.T.F. involved, I
want to stage it. You know, make it
look more intriguing, like we know
what the fuck we're doin'. Then it's
up to Ray Nicolet, the A.T. F. guy to
follow the shopping bag.
MAX
Make the delivery somewhere in the
mall.
JACKIE
Right around here, in the food court.
MAX
Sit down, leave the bag under the
table?
Jackie nods her head "yes."
MAX (CONT'D)
Will Ordell go for that?
JACKIE
I'm helping him bring his money into
America. He loves the idea. You just
missed him.
MAX
He was here?
JACKIE
Yeah, we were goin' over everything.
That's why all the bags.
MAX
I called you last night.
JACKIE
I know, I got your message. Ray
wanted to have dinner. He wanted to
talk about the sting we're plotting.
That's what he calls it. A sting.
He's being real nice to me.
MAX
You think he's got a thing for you?
JACKIE
Maybe. But I'm thinking it might be
something like he wants the money for
himself.
MAX
I don't follow your logic. What does
his being nice to you have to do with
him wanting Ordell's money?
JACKIE
He's setting me up to make a
proposition.
MAX
I see.
JACKIE
You don't propose something like that
unless you're pretty sure the other
person's into it.
MAX
Has he hinted around?
JACKIE
Not really. But I knew this narcotics
cop one time. Told me that in a raid,
the whole package never gets back to
the station. His exact words.
MAX
You know some interesting people.
JACKIE
We weren't bullshittin' either,
'cause later he was suspended and
forced to retire.
MAX
Has Nicolet told you any colorful
stories like that?
She shakes her head "no."
JACKIE
He tries to act cool.
MAX
No harm in that. He's a young guy
havin' fun being a cop. I know the
type, trust me on this. He's more
interested in Ordell than the money.
If he's gonna do anything suspect,
it'll be cutting corners to get the
conviction; but he wouldn't walk off
with the money. It's evidence.
JACKIE
What about you Max?
MAX
What? If I was in Nicolet's place?
JACKIE
No, I mean you, right now. Not it you
were somebody else.
MAX
If I saw a way to walk off with a
shopping bag full of money, would I
take it?
JACKIE
You know where it came from. It's not
like it's anybody's life savings. It
wouldn't even be missed.
MAX
A half-a-million dollars will always
be missed.
JACKIE
You're avoiding the question.
MAX
Okay, sure. I might be tempted.
Especially now, since I'm getting out
of the bail bonds business.
Jackie looks at him, "wow, that was a statement," but she
doesn't say anything.
Max continues.
MAX
I have to stand behind all my active
bonds, but I'm not writing any new
ones.
JACKIE
Why?
MAX
A lot of reasons. But the main one
would be I'm tired of it.
JACKIE
When did you decide?
MAX
It's been a long time coming. I
finally made up my mind - I guess it
was Thursday.
FLASH ON:
A RELEASE FORM
With a date on it. Jackie's hand is signing her name. We
WHIP UP and se her face, just as Max Cherry approaches
her, handing her his business card.
MAX
Hi, I'm Max Cherry. Your bail
bondsman.
BACK TO MAX AND JACKIE
JACKIE
The day you got me out of jail?
MAX
Yeah, that night I went to pick up a
guy. I hear he's staying at this
house, so I sneak in, wait for him to
come home.
JACKIE
Wait a minute. After we were together
you went and snuck into a guy's
house?
MAX
Uh-huh.
FLASH ON
Max is dropping off Jackie at her apartment and saying
goodbye.
MAX (V.O.)
I dropped you off...
Max finding no gun in his glove box.
MAX (V.O.)
Went to my office, found out you took
my gun...
Max in his office, taking another pistol from his drawer,
and a stun gun.
MAX (V.O.)
Got another gun and a stun gun...
BACK TO MAX AND JACKIE
MAX
And went to this guy's house in El
Monte, and I waited for him.
JACKIE
What do you do when he comes home?
MAX
Shoot him with the stun gun. While
he's incapacitated, cuff him, take
'em to County.
JACKIE
You do that?
MAX
That's my job.
JACKIE
Did you do it that night?
MAX
He never came home. But I'm sitting
on the couch, in the dark, holding my
stun gun and the whole house smells
of mildew - So after a couple hours I
think, "What am I doing here?
Nineteen years of this shit? So I
made up my mind, that's it.
JACKIE
And is that it?
MAX
More or less.
Jackie takes a pause before saying;
JACKIE
I'm not sure you answered my
question.
MAX
Which one?
JACKIE
If you had a chance, unemployed now,
to walk off with a half-million
dollars, would you take it?
MAX
I believe I said I'd be tempted.
Jackie smiles at him behind cigarette smoke.
MAX
Don't even think about it. You could
get yourself killed go to prison...
CLOSEUP JACKIE
JACKIE
What if I've figured a way?
Hold for a few beats, then...
FADE TO BLACK.
TITLE CARD:
"MONEY EXCHANGE 10,000"
Over this card, we hear an airplane landing.
FADE UP:
CLOSEUP JACKIE
Back at work, standing at the exit of her plane. All the
passengers are filtering out. She says goodbye.
JACKIE
Bye bye... Bye now... Goodbye Bye
bye... Bye bye... Goodbye
INT. LAX PARKING STRUCTURE - DAY
Jackie, wearing her stewardess uniform, walks into the
LAX parking structure, pulling her bad on wheels behind
her.
Nicolet and Dargus are waiting for her.
NICOLET
We gotta stop meeting this way.
Jackie smiles. They all fall in step towards Jackie's
Honda.
INT. JACKIE'S HONDA - DAY
The two cops and the black woman sit parked in her Honda.
She, behind the wheel, Nicolet next to her in the
passenger seat, Dargus in the backseat. Nicolet has the
flight bag in his lap. He's taking out the manila
envelope with the ten thousand inside. Their demeanor is
very different from the first time they met. The three
now almost act like friends.
DARGUS
How was your flight?
JACKIE
Fine.
DARGUS
Bet you're happy to be working again.
NICOLET
This is A.T.F. agent Ray Nicolet,
Jackie Brown, Ordell Robbie money
exchange trial run. It's three p.m.,
July 4th 1997. The location is the
parking structure at LAX.
JACKIE
What are you doing?
Pointing to a small mike on his lapel.
NICOLET
I'm recording this.
JACKIE
I thought you were going to let this
one through.
DARGUS
We are. Don't worry about it.
NICOLET
Every step of this goes in my report.
(back to report voice)
I am now taking a manila envelope
from the subject's flight bag.
He opens it and takes out the ten thousand dollars.
NICOLET (CONT'D)
The envelope contains currency... all
the same denomination, one-hundred-
dollar bills. Now, I'm counting it.
DARGUS
What time do you have to be there?
JACKIE
Four thirty. I'm meeting a woman.
DARGUS
What's her name?
JACKIE
He wouldn't say. You gonna follow
her?
DARGUS
She leaves, somebody'll be on her.
JACKIE
But you're not going to stop her?
Nicolet finishes counting, then hushes them up.
NICOLET
The envelope contains ten thousand
dollars. The subject will be
delivering the currency in a...
JACKIE
A Broadway shopping bag.
She holds it up.
NICOLET
A Broadway shopping bag. A large bag
with handles and brown lettering.
EXT. DEL AMO MALL - DAY
The huge Del Amo Mall.
INT. DEL AMO MALL - FOOD COURT - DAY
The Del Amo Mall on another lazy midday in the middle of
the week.
Max rides up an escalator in the mall. He casually
strolls through the mall, goes into a cappuccino bar
called "BUSTA CAP" across from the food court. Walking up
to the counter;
MAX
Caf� mocha.
BUSTA CAP GIRL
You want whipped cream on that?
MAX
No, thanks.
Max checks his watch: 4:30. He looks over at the food
court and spots Jackie sitting at a table by herself.
FLASH ON:
INT. JACKIE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Jackie on the phone with Max, dressed for bed (long t-
shirt and panties).
JACKIE
Think of it as money that shouldn't
even be here. I mean does anybody
have a right to it?
INT. CHERRY BAIL BONDS - NIGHT
Max in his office on the phone.
MAX
The feds. It's evidence.
JACKIE
It may be evidence once they get
their hands on it, but right now it's
only money.
BACK TO MAX AT THE MALL
He ponders his words as he watches her from a distance.
INT. FOOD COURT - DAY
Jackie sits at a table by herself, eating Japanese food
from Teriyaki Donut and drinking an iced tea. As she eats
she hears;
YOUNG GIRL'S VOICE (O.S.)
Is this seat taken?
Jackie looks up and sees a skinny YOUNG GIRL, black,
quite pretty, no older than twenty.
She holds a tray filled with tacos, enchiladas, rice and
beans and a giant-sized Coke. She also has a Broadway
shopping bag hanging from her arm.
JACKIE
Have a seat.
The Young Girl does.
Jackie looks at her tray of food.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
You're hungry?
YOUNG GIRL
Yes'm.
It would seem our Young Girl's from the South.
JACKIE
Put your bag on the floor, okay?
Under the table, right next to mine.
The Young Girl who hasn't looked right at Jackie since
sitting down, bends sideways to glance under the table.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
Then when I leave, well, you know.
What's your name?
She looks up...
YOUNG GIRL
Sherona?
... then back down at her tray.
JACKIE
Go ahead, start eating.
Sheronda starts eating, head down, hunching close to the
tray.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
Would it bother you if I smoked?
Without raising her head, she shakes it from side to
side.
Jackie takes out a pack of Davidoffs and lights one up
with her yellow Bic. As she does this she observes
Sheronda eating.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
Sheronda, can I ask you a question?
Are you and Ordell married?
Without raising her head.
SHERONDA
He say we like the same thing as
married.
JACKIE
Do you live together?
Sheronda hesitates, then says without raising her head.
SHERONDA
Most of the times.
JACKIE
Not every day?
Sheronda looks up at her...
SHERONDA
Sometimes every day, for a while.
JACKIE
Then you don't see him for a few
days?
... She looks back down.
SHERONDA
Yes'm.
JACKIE
You know what's in the bag you're
taking?
SHERONDA
He say is a surprise.
JACKIE
Well, Sheronda, it was nice talking
to you.
Jackie picks up Sheronda's bag and leaves.
INT. DEL AMO MALL - BUSTA CAP - DAY
Max drinking his caf� mocha sans whipped cream, watches
Jackie leave the Young Girl and with Broadway bag in
hand, walk out of the food court.
Max watches her walk down the mall when two young men in
sport coats, jeans, and cowboy boots step out of a B.
Dalton bookstore, stop her and begin talking. Knowing
they must be Nicolet and Dargus, he watches one of them
take the Broadway bag from Jackie and look inside. They
talk for a minute - it would seem about nothing too
serious. Jackie nods her head, listens to the two cops,
nods her head again, and then walks off.
As he watches her walk away from the cops...
FLASH ON:
JACKIE AND MAX ON PHONE
JACKIE
You said it yourself. Ray wants
Ordell, he don't give a shit about
the money. Money won't convict him,
guns will. Yeah, sure, if it falls in
their lap, they take it. If they know
they got it, they'll look for it...
but if they don't...
BACK TO MAX AT MALL
Max watches the two cops turn their attention to the
young girl eating in the food court.
Max watches her, too. The Young Girl continues to work
her way through her Mexican food, when she turns her head
to an OLDER BLACK WOMAN sitting at the next table. The
older woman says something, and the younger woman hands
her the ashtray Jackie was using.
Max watches the Young Girl finish her food and get up
from the table. She stoops down to get the Broadway
shopping bag and walks out of the food court.
Max watches Nicolet and Dargus let the Young Girl get a
little ahead, then follow after her. They're gone.
Max turns back on the older woman all alone.
She finishes the coffee she was drinking and stands up,
carrying - how about that? - A Broadway shopping bag. The
woman heads out of the mall.
Max follows her.
The older woman walks past us. She heads straight for the
exit.
EXT. DEL AMO MALL - PARKING LOT - DAY
Max follows the woman outside.
She walks down a line of cars, then gets in a big, tan
Mercury sedan. She drives of...
... but not before Max writes down her license plate
number.
FLASH ON:
MAX AND JACKIE ON PHONE
MAX
You're rationalizing.
JACKIE
That's what you do to go through with
the shit you start. You rationalize.
I can do this, Max, I know I can. But
I can't do it without you.
INT. MAX'S CADILLAC - DAY
Max climbs into his Seville, starts her up, and drives
out of the parking lot.
CLOSEUP MAX
Driving down the street, lost in thought.
MAX
(to himself)
It could work... If she handles the
cops right, I could work...
He hits 'play' on the dash CD player. The Delfonics fill
the cab of the Caddy.
CUT TO:
BLACK
A garage door is lifted open, revealing Ordell and Louis.
EXT. STORAGE FACLITY - DAY
Ordell and Louis are at Mr. Robbie's storage facility. A
VAN is backed up nect to the opening. The facility is
pitch black. Ordell ahs a big flashlight in his hand.
ORDELL
Check this out.
He turns on the flashlight.
He shines the beam into darkness. We see the facility is
filled to the gills with machine guns, shotguns, uzis, a
rocket launcher, and handguns of many types.
LOUIS
How much is there?
ORDELL
Over half-million dollars worth of
merchandise.
Ordell opens the back doors of the van. They start
unloading machine guns and boxes of ammo.
LOUIS
Can I ask you about Melanie?
ORDELL
Sure.
LOUIS
What's your relationship?
ORDELL
She one of the women I got set up. I
got Melanie in Hermosa Beach. I rent
Simone a small house in Compton, and
about four blocks away I got me this
nineteen-year-old country girl named
Sheronda. I found her waitin' for a
bus two days outta Alabama, barefoot,
country as a chicken coop. Took her
to my house in Compton, told her it
was Hollywood.
LOUIS
She believed you?
ORDELL
Hell, yeah. To her dumb country ass,
Compton is Hollywood. Close as she's
ever been, anyway.
They both laugh together.
LOUIS
Do you trust Melanie?
Ordell stops unloading.
ORDELL
If this is about you fucked Melanie,
I don't give a damn. I ain't a fool.
I leave you alone with a bitch like
Melanie, you're gonna be fuckin' that
twenty minutes after I'm out the
door. So say "thank you" and I'll
tell you, "you're welcome."
LOUIS
That's not what I meant when I asked
did you trust her.
Ordell looks at him.
ORDELL
She tryin' to work your ass against
me, ain't she?
LOUIS
Yep.
ORDELL
You didn't even hafta say it. I know
the woman.
LOUIS
Well, why the fuck keep her around?
ORDELL
(smiling)
'Cause she my fine little surfer gal.
She can't do me no harm. Fact she
think she can play you against me
shows how little she knows. You could
teach that bitch for days how it is
'tween me an you, she never
understand a damn word.
LOUIS
Why do you let someone know your
business you can't trust?
ORDELL
I don't hafta trust her, I know her.
LOUIS
What does that mean?
ORDELL
You can't trust Melanie. But you can
always trust Melanie to be Melanie.
Louis starts unloading.
LOUIS
I still don't understand why you keep
her around.
ORDELL
I told you, man.
(smiling)
She my fine little surfer gal.
EXT. MELANIE'S APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY
EXTREME CLOSEUP - Jackie's finger presses a small black
button next to the
handwritten name, "M. RALSTON."
EXTREME CLOSEUP SPEAKER BOX
MELANIE'S VOICE (O.S.)
(coming out of it)
What?
JACKIE
Bends down to talk in the speaker.
JACKIE
It's Jackie.
INT. MELANIE'S APARTMENT HALLWAY - DAY
Jackie walks down the hallway and finds the door.
She rings the doorbell.
The door opens, she sees Melanie (for the first time) on
the other side. Melanie, dressed in a t-shirt, cut offs,
doesn't say a word - just turns around and walks away.
Once Melanie leaves, she sees Ordell standing inside the
apartment, screwdriver in hand, yelling after Melanie;
ORDEL
... Now she's gonna pout...
He turns his attention to Jackie.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
Hey, Jackie, c'mon in.
Jackie steps inside.
She sees Louis (for the first time) sitting on the couch.
Ordell says to Louis, but loud enough for Melanie in the
other room to hear;
ORDELL (CONT'D)
She gonna hafta find her sandals...
find her bag... find her
sunglasses... take twenty damn
minutes get her ass out the door.
(to Jackie)
Jackie - his is Louis, Louis -
Jackie. And the chick stompin' around
in the other room is Melanie.
Melanie comes out of the bedroom with her sunglasses,
sandals, bag strung across her shoulders and her keys in
her hand. She makes a bee-line towards the door without
saying nothin' to nobody.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
You have a nice time, hear?
The door SLAMS behind her.
Ordell looks to Jackie, raises his screwdriver and says;
ORDELL (CONT'D)
Drink?
JACKIE
I need to talk to you alone.
EXT. MELANIE'S APARTMENT - BALCONY - DAY
Ordell and Jackie on the balcony.
JACKIE
I don't want no more fuckin'
surprises. We do this the way I laid
it out, or we don't do it at all.
ORDELL
What the hell you talkin' bout?
JACKIE
Sheronda passin' the money onto
someone else, that's what the hell
I'm talkin' 'bout.
ORDELL
How do you know she did that?
JACKIE
I was there, I saw her do it.
ORDELL
Well, you weren't supposed to be
there.
JACKIE
I know, but I hung around, 'cause I
figured you'd try an' pull some shit
like this.
ORDELL
Now, hold on there. I ain't pullin'
no shit. It's my money, I can do
whatever the fuck I wanna do with it.
JACKIE
Not when it's my ass on the line you
don't. We do this my way or fuck it.
Ordell tries to stop the hostile back and forth.
ORDELL
Just chill the fuck out, Jackie. It
ain't no big thing. The woman you saw
was my friend, Simone. She's the one
gonna be receiving the money, so I
just wanted her to see how it works.
She'll be here any minute. Nice
woman, you'll like her.
Ordell opens the sliding glass and says to Louis in the
living room;
ORDELL
Louis, call Simone and tell her to
get her tail over here. We're waitin'
on her ass.
Louis gets up to make the call.
Ordell turns back to Jackie and smiles, holding up his
screwdriver.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
I'm about ready for a refill. Sure I
can't tempt you?
INT. MELANIE'S APARTMENT - DAY
Ordell and Jackie sit on stools around the kitchen
counter/bar. Louis sits with them on the phone, silent.
JACKIE
Nicolet and Dargus stop me at the
airport and mark the bills.
ORDELL
Man, I don't like that part.
JACKIE
It washes off. I tell them we're
doing it the same way as before.
They'll follow Sheronda. I hate the
idea of leaving her for a fall.
ORDELL
She won't have no problems 'cause she
don't know nothin'.
JACKIE
Are you sure she don' know about the
money?
ORDELL
She don't know shit about the money.
JACKIE
What does she think she's gettin?
ORDELL
I told her this is a game us rich
folks play, exchanging gifts. Like a
scavenger hunt. She didn't know what
that was neither.
(to Louis)
No answer?
Louis shakes his head.
LOUIS
Uh-huh.
ORDELL
Hang it up, she's on her way. You
gotta listen to this. This involves
you.
Louis hangs up the phone and joins the debriefing.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
No, you gonna give her a
Robinson's/May bag this time?
JACKIE
Right, the one Simone gives me.
Simone and I'll make the switch at
Robinson's/May. She knows what I look
like?
ORDELL
She saw you with Sheronda. So Simone
goes to the dress department with her
Robinson's/May bag.
JACKIE
Designer clothes.
ORDELL
She waits for you to go in the place
where you try things on.
JACKIE
The fitting room. There's a sign over
the door.
LOUIS
Why we doin' I there?
JACKIE
I have a hunch they'll be watchin'
me. We can't risk switching bags out
in the open or even in the dining
area. That's why it has to be a
woman, 'cause we do the switch in the
fitting room.
ORDELL
So you come out with her
Robinson's/May bag, go meet Sheronda.
Simone peeks out, waits for my man
Louis here to give her a signal
nobody's watchin'. She leaves the
store, gets in her car - mission
accomplished.
JACKIE
Where you gonna be during all this?
ORDELL
I'm gonna be sittin' at the titty bar
In downtown L.A. till my man over
here calls me and gives me the O.K.
sign.
Jackie's pager goes off. She looks at it.
JACKIE
I gotta go.
INT. MELANIE'S APARTMENT - HALLWAY - DAY
Ordell walks Jackie to the elevator.
ORDELL
Who's paging you?
JACKIE
Ray, the A.T.F. guy.
ORDELL
That works on my nerves, you bein' so
buddy-buddy with him.
JACKIE
If I wasn't, this wouldn't work. Now
once I deliver I'll have to trust
you.
ORDELL
Well, I've been trusting you all this
time, haven't I? We agreed on ten
percent of what you bring in and
that's what you gonna get.
They reach the elevator. She presses the button.
JACKIE
And a hundred thousand if I go to
jail.
ORDELL
We're partners, Baby, sorta. I ain't
gonna screw you. You haven't told me
where I put it for you.
The elevator arrives. Jackie steps in.
JACKIE
Give it to the bail bondsman, Max
Cherry. He'll take care of it.
ORDELL
Max Cherry? You and him friends now?
You tell him about this shit?
JACKIE
He won't know where the money came
from. Only that it's money.
... the elevator shuts... As it shuts Ordell yells;...
ORDELL
Don't you know all them bail bondsmen
are crooks...
... the door shuts.
CLOSEUP ORDELL
He doesn't like the last piece of new information.
EXT. THE STRAND - DAY
The Strand is the hip surfer street in downtown Hermosa
Beach. Jackie leaves the apartment building. She walks to
her car when she spots a funky little beach bar called,
"Sally Leroy's."
INT. SALLY LEROY'S - DAY
Sally Leroy's is a beach bar with surfboards, different
beer signs, and pictures of Marilyn Monroe, Elvis
Presley, James Dean, Ann Margaret, and surfers riding
monster waves all over the place.
The JUKEBOX plays a loud seventies rock number.
BEGINNING OF SHOT
The camera picks Jackie up through the window, walking
into the place and going up to the bar...
A female bartender in her mid-twenties, wearing a plaid
workshirt, named WANDA, goes to Jackie.
JACKIE
Do you have a phone?
WANDA
Yeah, it's in the back.
JACKIE
Thanks.
... We follow with her to the back of the bar... the
MUSIC is LOUD... the phone booth is occupied by a fat
older GUY wearing surf clothes and sporting a mustache
like a walrus. Jackie waits for him to finish his call...
As she waits, the CAMERA MOVES BACK... until a blonde
head of hair comes into the f.g....
The CAMERA MOVES around to a CLOSEUP ON MELANIE, sucking
on a beer, moving her head to the music, and watching
Jackie. She smiles and steps OUT OF FRAME.
END OF SHOT
Jackie hears behind her;
MELANIE (O.S.)
Hey!
Jackie turns and sees Melanie holding a beer, standing
behind her.
JACKIE
Oh, hi.
MELANIE
Buy ya a beer?
JACKIE
I'm waiting for the phone.
MELANIE
Good luck. That guy's been in there
since I got here.
JACKIE
Well, I guess I better look for
another one, then. Thanks, anyway.
Jackie turns to leave.
MELANIE
I know what you and Ordell got goin'.
You sit down and have a beer with me.
I'll tell you a secret.
Jackie looks at her a moment.
JACKIE
Sure.
MELANIE
Great...
(calling to the
bartender)
... Wanda!
Wanda approaches.
WANDA
What?
MELANIE
This lady is thirsty.
WANDA
What do you want?
MELANIE
What's on tap?
WANDA
Coors, Sam, Rolling Rock, and
Killian's Red.
JACKIE
Killian's.
MELANIE
Better get me another Sam's.
(to Jackie)
Join me in a Jaeger shot?
JACKIE
Uh-uh.
MELANIE
Gimme one anyway.
WANDA
You got it.
Wanda goes away. Jackie and Melanie sit at the bar. The
MUSIC is LOUD, and they have to talk over it. Melanie
moves her head to it during the conversation.
JACKIE
How long you been with Ordell?
MELANIE
This time? Almost a year. I've known
him forever.
JACKIE
What were you two fighting about?
MELANIE
He told me to go outside.
(imitating Ordell's
voice)
"You may leave us now." It's all part
of his pathetic attempt to be "the
man." You know Mr. Walker don't you?
Jackie nods "yes."
MELANIE (CONT'D)
Mr. Walker's my buddy. Ask him about
Ordell.
JACKIE
That coke was yours, wasn't it?
Melanie makes a face to show pain.
MELANIE
Oh, man, listen. I'm sorry about
that. I hope they don't come down on
you on my account. Ordell shoulda
told you it was in your bag.
Wanda brings the drinks.
WANDA
Seven dollars.
Melanie digs in her purse for the money.
JACKIE
He said he didn't know about it.
MELANIE
(digging in her purse)
You believe that? Yeah, well, I guess
you have to trust him.
(pulls out a ten)
I'd have second thoughts on that, but
then I know 'em.
Melanie takes her Jaeger shot, lets it go down, then
continues.
MELANIE (CONT'D)
He killed a guy who works for him the
other day.
JACKIE
Beaumont Livingston?
MELANIE
You already knew that?
JACKIE
Kinda.
MELANIE
So tell me. Having all that money in
your flight bag - Is it tempting?
Jackie nods 'yes', as she sips her beer.
MELANIE (CONT'D)
I tell you. If Ordell ever sent me to
carry in ten thousand dollars, that
would be the last motherfuckin' time
he saw me. The next trip you're gonna
have over half-a-million. If you
thought of cutting Ordell out, I sure
as hell wouldn't blame you.
Jackie smiles.
MELANIE (CONT'D)
You think I'm kidding?
JACKIE
Dreaming.
MELANIE
You know how easy it would be? He
won't be anywhere near that mall.
Pull one more switch, up front.
That's it. half-a-million dollars.
Need help?
JACKIE
(smiling)
Keep it between us girls?
MELANIE
What's that fucker ever done for us?
JACKIE
(getting off the
barstool)
I don't think so, but thanks for the
beer.
Jackie leaves.
CLOSEUP MELANIE
Watches her go.
MELANIE
(softly under her breath)
Chicken shit.
INT. STEAKHOUSE - NIGHT
Jackie and Nicolet sit at a steakhouse eating a steak
dinner. Nicolet drinks beer, Jackie drinks white wine.
JACKIE
Ordell has a white guy working for
him named Louis.
NICOLET
You two meet?
JACKIE
This afternoon before I came here. He
was with Ordell at an apartment in
Hermosa Beach. I don't know if he
lives there, but I can find out.
NICOLET
You talk to him?
JACKIE
Not really.
NICOLET
His full name is Louis Gara. He just
got out from serving four years in
Susanville.
JACKIE
What for?
NICOLET
Bank robbery? Do you know what he
does for Ordell?
JACKIE
I imagine shit needs to be done.
NICOLET
We've been following Mr. Gara, and
he's definitely working for Ordell.
FLASH ON:
NICOLET AND DARGUS
In a car, parked, on surveillance.
COPS POV
Louis with the van, at the storage facility.
NICOLET (V.O.)
They served two years together almost
twenty years ago in Soledad. But he
doesn't live in Hermosa Beach.
Ordell's got him staying at a house
in.
MUG SHOT SIMONE
The older woman in the mall.
NICOLET (V.O.)
... Compton with a fifty-six-year-
old petty thief - woman named Simone
Hawkins.
BACK TO BAR
NICOLET
Ever meet her, or they talk about
her?
JACKIE
Not yet.
NICOLET
Who's the other one?
JACKIE
White girl named Melanie Ralston.
Another girlfriend of Ordell's.
NICOLET
What's her story?
JACKIE
It was her coke I got busted with.
She knows everything, but she's not
part of it, and she's pissed cause
she's not part of it. Ordell wouldn't
even let her stay at the meeting. She
tried to talk me into ripping off
Ordell.
NICOLET
And splittin' with her?
JACKIE
I'm sure that was the idea.
NICOLET
What did you say?
JACKIE
I smiled and walked away. She also
told me Ordell killed Beaumont.
NICOLET
She told you that?
JACKIE
Uh-huh.
NICOLET
Was she there?
JACKIE
She didn't say.
NICOLET
But she mentioned Beaumont by name?
JACKIE
Uh-huh.
NICOLET
Well, this sounds like a lady I'd
like to have a word with. So
everything's set for tomorrow?
JACKIE
Right. Everything's the same, except
one change...
INT. JACKIE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Max sits on the couch in Jackie's apartment drinking
white wine.
Jackie paces in front of him, white wine in one hand,
Davidoff in the other, going over the details of
tomorrow. One could notice a slight change in Jackie.
There's a bit of an edge to Miss Brown that's bubbling
underneath her cool surface. It's understandable. After
all, she's been the architect of this half-a-million
dollars switcheroo. She's moved heaven and earth to make
all the pieces fall into place, and all the players thnk
what she wants them to think.
As she talks to Max she knows tomorrow all her hard work
will either fail or succeed. But don't take this
difference the wrong way. This edge I'm referring to is
not one born out of fear (Jackie's nervous, but she's not
afraid). It's more the edge an athlete might feel before
an all-important competition.
JACKIE
I told them Ordell's changed the
amount he's bringing in.
MAX
Do you think they bought it?
JACKIE
Oh, yeah. I got them thinking
Ordell's real nervous. They love
thinking he's scared of them.
MAX
You know, a good cop won't let you
know he knows you're fulla shit.
JACKIE
All he needed was a reasonable
explanation.
DISSOLVE TO:
BACK TO JACKIE WITH NICOLET
MEDIUM JACKIE
JACKIE
Right. Everything's the same except
one change. Ordell thinks it's just
too hot right now to bring in all his
money. He knows you're watching him,
and he's paranoid. He's keeping his
stash where it is, but he wants to
bring in fifty thousand for bail in
case he needs it.
CUT TO:
BACK TO JACKIE AND MAX
MAX
It'll be more than that.
JACKIE
Don't be so literal. Ray believed it.
MAX
But you still have to show him the
money at the airport.
JACKIE
Well, you know I'm not going to show
him the whole amount. He'll see fifty
thousand.
MAX
Where's the rest of it?
JACKIE
In the bag underneath.
MAX
What if he checks it?
JACKIE
He won't - I mean, he didn't the last
time. He'll be expecting fifty
thousand and there it is - on top.
MAX
You're takin' a helluva chance kid.
JACKIE
Not really. If he finds it, I say Mr.
Walker put the money in, and I didn't
know nothing about it. Like the coke.
MAX
Then you're out and you get nothing.
JACKIE
Yeah, but I'm not in jail and I
tried.
MAX
You're gonna have surveillance all
over you.
JACKIE
That's why you don't make a move till
I come out of the fitting room.
MAX
In a dress.
JACKIE
Well, a suit. There's one I had my
eye on.
The phone rings.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
Excuse me.
INT. MELANIE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
EXTREME CLOSEUP - Ordell on the phone
ORDELL
It's Ordell. We got a bit of a change
in plans here. Nothing to worry 'bout
- everything's the same - except for
one change. That bitch you saw in the
mall, Simone. She wasn't here today,
cause she split on me.
(pause)
Me an Louis went over to her place
,she's gone. She's gone and all her
shit's gone and so's my ten thousand
dollars.
(pause)
It ain't nothin' to worry about,
girl. Everything's just like we
discussed. Except when you do the
switch, instead of Simone, it's gonna
be Melanie.
Melanie is lying on the couch, sprawled out like a cat.
Louis sits at the other end of the couch. They're
watching "Dirty Mary and Crazy Larry" on TV.
ON TV
Peter Fonda and Susan George make jokes as they're
pursued by police cars.
They can hear Ordell on the phone. Melanie smiling at
Louis, flirtatiously and conspiratorially lifts her bare
foot and rubs his arm with it. Louis turns to her and
gives her a look that says: "I'm not on your side, bitch.
So knock it of."
Melanie sees this and takes her foot away.
Louis turns back to the television.
CLOSEUP MELANIE
Looks at Louis for a moment, then sighs, saying under her
breath;
MELANIE
Chicken shit.
FADE TO BLACK
TITLE CARD:
"MONEY EXCHANGE 550,000"
FADE UP:
A GRAPHIC MAP
With Mexico and California on it. On the Mexico side we
see "CABO SAN LUCAS" with a big circle around it. On the
California side we see "LAX" in a similar circle. The
tiny figure of a black AIRPLANE appears in the Cabo
circle. With appropriate SOUND EFFECTS it takes off from
Cabo, flying towards LAX, leaving a dotted line behind
it. The CAMERA moves into a CLOSEUP of the little black
airplane.
CUT TO:
CLOSEUP JACKIE
Looking down...
INT. AIRPLANE BATHROOM - DAY
Rearranging her bag. The five hundred thousand inside
takes up half the space. She tucks lingerie around the
edges, covers the money with blouses, shoes, and skirts
and ties I all down tight. Then places a fat envelope
with fifty thousand right on top.
INT. CABIN - AIRPLANE - DAY
Jackie steps out of the bathroom, walks down the aisle,
and is stopped by a PASSENGER.
PASSENGER
Listen, Miss, I'm waiting for a drink
and you spend half the fuckin' flight
in the can. Soon as we land I'm
making a formal complaint.
JACKIE
Why, because I called you an asshole.
PASSENGER
You didn't call me that.
JACKIE
I didn't? Oh, well, you're an
asshole.
INT. LAX PARKING STRUCTURE - DAY
SUBTITLE APPEARS BELOW:
"TIME: 3:00"
Jackie steps into the LAX parking structure, pulling her
bag on wheels behind her.
Waiting for her is Ray Nicolet.
NICOLET
We have to stop meeting like this.
They fall into step towards her car.
JACKIE
You said that the last time.
NICOLET
Well, it's true, isn't it? After his
is buttoned up we could meet
someplace else. What do you think?
JACKIE
We could, if I'm not in jail.
NICOLET
Oh, that's taken care of. I called
the State Attorney's Office. You were
no-filed this morning in Circuit
Court.
CLOSEUP JACKIE
This information stops Jackie in her tracks.
JACKIE
Are you saying I'm off the hook?
JACKIE'S POV
Nicolet, who kept walking when Jackie stopped, looks back
at Jackie.
NICOLET
Free as a bird. I still expect you to
finish the job, though. How much do
you have this time?
Jackie starts walking again
JACKIE
Fifty thousand, like I said. He's
pretty sure he's gonna need it for
bail.
INT. JACKIE'S HONDA - DAY
Jackie and Nicolet in the parked car. Ray has the flight
bag in his lap.
He unzips it.
He sees the clothes with the envelope on top.
Jackie watches all of this.
NICOLET
That's fifty thousand, huh? It
doesn't look like that much.
JACKIE
I was told ten thousand in each pack.
NICOLET
You didn't count it?
JACKIE
I never have. It's not my money.
He puts the envelope back in the bag and feels through
the folds of a skirt.
NICOLET
He might have slipped some coke in
here. Did you check?
Jackie, cool.
JACKIE
Mr. Walker promised he'd never do
that again.
Nicolet's fingers move to a pair of black heels wedged
into the side... they touch the shoes... then move over
to the envelope, opens the clasp and takes out five
rubber-banded bond packets of loot.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
Ever been tempted?
NICOLET
What? To put one of these in my
pocket?
JACKIE
Uh-huh.
NICOLET
If I did, I'd have to give you one,
wouldn't I? Or we could take what we
want. No one knows how much there is
except us, right?
JACKIE
Yes. All those things are true.
NICOLET
After all, it don't belong to nobody,
right?
JACKIE
That would be one point of view.
NICOLET
Yeah, well, it's not a point of view
that A.T.F. shares. Once we make it
evidence, it belongs to us. You are
now officially out of trouble. Don't
do nothing stupid, now.
JACKIE
How can I do anything if I'm being
watched every second?
NICOLET
I'm glad you realize that. Saves me
the trouble of pointing it out to
you.
(holding up the money)
Put this in your shopping bag. It's
what I expect to find when I look in
Sheronda's. Comprende?
JACKIE
Si.
INT. MAX CHERRY'S OFFICE - DAY
Max Cherry sits behind his desk. WINSTON POWELL, the big
black guy from the photo, is at the other desk on the
phone. Max looks at his watch.
SUBTITLE APPEARS BELOW:
"TIME: 3:30"
Max stands up, takes the sport coat from the back of his
chair, putsit on, and walks over to Winston's desk.
Winston, still on the phone, looks up.
MAX
I'm going out for a few hours.
WINSTON
(to phone)
Hold on a minute.
(to Max)
Where you going?
MAX
I'm going to Del Amo, see a movie,
get something to eat.
WINSTON
Watcha gonna see?
MAX
Whatever looks best and starts the
soonest.
WINSTON
Have fun.
Winston goes back to the phone.
Max walks out of the office.
EXT. SAM'S HOFFIN BRAUR - DAY
Sam's Hoffin Braur (German for beer garden) is a strip
joint bar in downtown L.A.
INT SAM'S HOFFIN BRAUR - DAY
Ordell's on the pay phone. A STRIPPER strips in the b.g.
SUBTITLE APPEARS BELOW:
"TIME: 3:47"
ORDELL
What the fuck are you two still doing
there?!
INT. MELANIE'S APARTMENT - DAY
Louis stands in the empty living room, talking to Ordell
on the phone. Kate Bush plays in the b.g.
LOUIS
I was ready to leave ten minutes ago.
Ordell snaps at Louis, not so harsh Louis is forced to
retaliate, but enough to express his loss of patience.
ORDELL
Well, you the one in motherfuckin'
charge.
LOUIS
Well, she keeps saying 'in a minute.'
ORDELL
Go in there, snatch her by the hair,
and drag her big ass out. This is my
goddam money we're talking about. Get
your ass out the door.
He hangs up on Louis.
Louis, pissed at being hung up on and talked to like
that, hangs up the phone and turns his frustration where
it rightly belongs - Melanie.
Louis stomps towards the bedroom where the music's
playing.
LOUIS
We're leaving now!
MELANIE (O.S.)
All right already.
MONTAGE
We see a montage of the individual characters in route to
the mall.
JACKIE
In her Honda, smoking a cigarette, looking cool as usual,
driving to the mall. Her car plays seventies soul.
MAX
In his Cadillac Seville, cruising down Hawthorne
Boulevard to the mall. He plays hid Delfonics CD.
LOUIS AND MELANIE
In Melanie's Toyota drive towards the mall. Melanie
drives singing along with Kate Bush on her car stereo.
EXT. DEL AMO MALL PARKING LOT - DAY
Jackie's car pulls up to a lined parking space in the
parking lot.
SUBTITLE APPEARS BELOW:
"TIME 3:52"
Jackie gets out of the Honda with her flight bag. She
goes to her hatchback, takes a Robinson's/May bag, lines
the first half of the bag with old paperbacks.
Then takes out of the flight bag the envelope with the
fifty-thousand marked dollars, takes one packet of ten
thousand, and puts it in her pocket. She lines the
envelope with forty thousand across the books, then fills
the rest of the bag with beach towels.
Then with her flight bag slung over her shoulder,
carrying the Robinson's/May bag and with all the
confidence of a world champion prize fighter going into
the ring, she strides toward the hugs mall.
INT. DEL AMO MALL - DAY
Jackie enters the mall. She looks at the people buzzing
around. Any one of them could be surveillance.
She calmly walks down the mall, then turns into the
Roinson's/May store.
INT. ROBINSON'S/MAY - DESIGNER CLOTHES - DAY
Jackie, in her Cabo Air uniform, walks up to a young
Asian saleswoman named Amy in the Robinson's/May designer
clothing area.
The saleswoman smiles when she sees Jackie.
AMY
Can I help you?
JACKIE
Yes, you have a suit I've had my eye
on.
Jackie steps out of the fitting room wearing a real
sharp, badass, black suit with a white blouse.
AMY
Oh, my God. You look so cool.
Jackie moves over to the mirror, and checks herself out.
JACKIE
This looks pretty good on me.
AMY
Are you kidding, it looks great. You
wear this to a business meeting,
you're the badass in the room. But
you can go out dancing in this too.
It's a total power suit.
Jackie studies her reflection.
JACKIE
I think I'm gonna just get this for
today. I'm in kind of a hurry. Would
you mind ringing this up while I
change out of it?
AMY
Not a problem.
JACKIE
Thanks.
Jackie walks into the fitting room.
INT. FITTING ROOM - DAY
She walks down the fitting room hallway with changing
cubicles on her right, enters the last one.
She closes the door and sits down on the bench in between
her flight bag full of money and the Robinson's/May bag.
A full-length mirror is straight I front of her. She
looks at herself... when someone comes into the stall
next to her.
Melanie's voice comes from the other side of the wall.
MEALNIE (O.S.)
Jackie?
JACKIE
Hi, Melanie.
MELANIE (O.S.)
Are you getting that black suit?
JACKIE
Yeah, do you like it?
MELANIE (O.S.)
It looks good on you.
JACKIE
Do you got something for me?
MELANIE (O.S.)
You betcha.
A Robinson's/May bag, like Jackie's, filled with towels,
comes sliding underneath the stall.
Jackie picks up her Robinson's/May bag, filled with
books, towels and the marked forty-thousand dollars.
She takes the loose packet of ten-thousand marked dollars
and lies it on top of the bag.
As she does all this Melanie continues talking.
MELANIE (O.S.) (CONT'D)
We coulda worked this. You know that,
dontcha? You would've made out a lot
better than you're going to, believe
me.
Jackie slides the Robinson's/May bag with money under the
stall.
Melanie sees the money on top and stops talking.
JACKIE
I put a little cherry on top. You're
right. What the hell he ever do for
us?
MELANIE (O.S.)
(quietly)
Thanks.
JACKIE
Now be careful with that bag. You
don't want it ripping open on you in
the middle of the store.
We hear the SOUND of Melanie leaving.
Jackie then transfers the half of a million dollars out
of her flight bag into Melanie's Robinson's/May bag. She
sticks her uniform in the flight bag.
Then takes the towels and puts them on top of the money.
She grabs her flight bag and leaves, leaving behind the
Robinson's/May bag filled with half of a million dollars.
INT. DESIGNER CLOTHES - DAY
Jackie, looking sharp in her new suit but acting a touch
frantic and anxious, walks rapidly toward the sales
counter where Amy waits for her.
JACKIE
I'm sorry, I just decided to stay in
the suit - get out of that damn
uniform.
AMY
Oh, that's not a problem.
As Jackie and the salesgirl complete their transaction
the CAMERA CIRCLES them, SLOWLY at first, but more
RAPIDLY each go-around. They complete the transaction and
as Jackie starts to leave, she stops and says to Amy;
JACKIE
Oh, somebody left a shopping bag in
there. Looks like beach towels.
She leaves. We follow her...
INT. DEL AMO MALL - DAY
... Jackie walks out of Robinson's/May hurriedly into the
main mall. The calm, cool stride we're used to with
Jackie is completely gone.
She stops, looks around, head darting from one direction
to another. She looks in a panic. The CAMERA begins to
twirl around her. She seems to be looking for something
she doesn't see. She looks helpless and on the verge of
tears.
As the twirling CAMERA circles her, she screams;
JACKIE
Ray! Ray! I need you! Come out! She
took the money.
The CAMERA stops twirling.
Nicolet, Dargus, and two other plainclothes cops, come
running out of a store towards Jackie. As they reach her,
a frantic Jackie yells;
JACKIE (CONT'D)
Melanie burst in the dressing room
and took the money!
CUT TO:
EXT. PARKING LOT - DEL AMO MALL - DAY
Louis and Melanie pull up to a lined parking space in
Melanie's Toyota.
SUBTITLE APPEARS BELOW:
"TIME: 4:12"
Louis is the first out of the car.
LOUIS
Come on, goddammit, we're late!
INT. DEL AMO MALL - DAY
We STEDICAM in front of them, Louis the rapid pacesetter,
pulling Melanie behind him by the hand. Melanie carries
the Robinson's/May switch bag.
MELANIE
Jesus Christ, get a grip, Louis.
LOUIS
We shoulda been there already and we
woulda been if it hadn't been for
your fuckin' around!
They go inside Robinson's/May...
INT. ROBINSON'S/MAY - DAY
... We STEDICAM into Robison's/May with them. We lose
them for a moment behind racks of dresses and mannequins,
but end up landing on Jackie in her black suit, looking
in a mirror and talking to Amy on the Designer Clothes
floor.
AM
... You wear this to a business
meeting, you're the badass in the
room...
We PAN away and find Louis and Melanie by a dress rack,
watching Jackie.
MELANIE
That's a nice outfit on her. I'm
gonna go over and look at this Michi
Moon display.
LOUIS
Just stay right fuckin' here, all
right?
MELANIE
Are you sweating?
Louis' hand immediately goes to his forehead and touches
dampness.
MELANIE (CONT'D)
Job a little too much for you?
Louis shoots Melanie a hard convict look.
Melanie smiles at him, feeling the stare, but too much of
a natural-born smart ass to change.
MELANIE
I'll be over here. You're too
conspicuous.
Louis looks over at the fitting room. Jackie is going
inside it, and the saleswoman is walking away towards
him.
He watches the saleswoman walk by him, then looks back in
time to see Melanie enter the fitting room.
LOUIS
(under his breath)
Goddammit, not till I tell ya.
He decides he's watching the fitting room entrance too
much, so he starts throwing his look around when he sees
something that stops him cold.
MAX CHERRY
Max is looking at dresses, paying no attention to the
fitting room.
He thinks, 'what the fuck is Max Cherry doing here?'
Max, doing what he's doing, looks up and sees Louis
staring at him across the floor. Max smiles and gives
Louis a wave before turning his back to him and continues
to do what he was doing.
He quickly looks around the store to see anything else;
any more surprise guests, possible police surveillance.
Everything looks normal. The saleswoman is behind the
register ringing up Jackie's purchase. The few customers
there are doing customer stuff.
Then he sees Melanie come out with a Robinson's/May bag
and head down a different aisle.
He hurries down his aisle and cuts her off. Their whole
fight is said tense and low.
LOUIS
What are you doin'?
MELANIE
I'm getting out of here. What do you
think?
LOUIS
Lemme have the bag.
MELANIE
Fuck you. I can carry it.
She tries to push past him, and he catches her by her arm
and pulls her around.
LOUIS
Goddam you. Gimme that bag,
MELANIE
Watch it, dipshit. You wanna rip the
fuckin' bag?
LOUIS
Gimme that bag before I knock you out
and take it.
Melanie realizes Louis ain't fuckin' kiddin'. Not only
that, this old guy looks close to buggin'. She lets go of
the bag.
MELANIE
Okay, okay. Take it. Jesus, what's
wrong with you?
He takes it. They start walking. We STEDICAM in front of
them.
LOUIS
I'm carrying it.
MELANIE
Okay, you got it. Just take a chill
pill, for christ sake.
Louis has had enough of her slang and says tensely
through gritted teeth;
LOUIS
Fuck you with your chill pill.
In mid-walk, Melanie asks him;
MELANIE
Remember where we came in?
Louis stops dead. He looks around, confused.
MELANIE (CONT'D)
(like a teacher on Romper
Room)
Nooo, that's towards Sears. We came
in through Bullocks. I know where it
is. Want to follow me, Lou-is?
Pissed, he leaves FRAME. Melanie, wearing her Melanie
smirk, follows behind.
EXT. PARKING LOT - DEL AMO MALL - DAY
Louis, clutching the shopping bag close to his chest,
walks rapidly down an aisle of parked cars.
Melanie follows close behind.
We STEDICAM alongside. We walk for awhile, Louis changes
direction to another aisle. WE'RE NOW IN FRONT of him. We
see he has a searching look on his face.
MELANIE
You have no idea where you parked, do
you?
Louis doesn't answer.
Melanie laughs.
MELANIE (CONT'D)
Jesus, but if you two aren't the
biggest fuck-ups I've ever seen in my
life... How did you ever rob a bank?
When you robbed banks, did you have
to look for your car then too? No
wonder you went to jail.
Louis could kill her right now. Just take his gun out of
his pants and shoot her in her snickering face. But
instead of doing what he wants, he does what he should.
He doesn't answer of look back. (If he looked back and
saw that Melanie-smirk, he couldn't e responsible for
what happens.)He changes directions, cuts down another
aisle and hopes for both their sakes she shuts the fuck
up.
But our Melanie just keeps on being Melanie.
MELANIE (CONT'D)
Is it this aisle, Lou-is?
LOUIS
Yeah, down the end.
MELANIE
You sure?
They walk it; it's not it.
Louis changes direction and cuts between some cars to the
next one.
MELANIE (CONT'D)
Is it this aisle or the next one
over?
LOUIS
This one.
MELANIE
You sure?
In between two cars, Louis spins on her.
LOUIS
Don't say anything else, okay? I'm
telling you, keep your mouth shut.
Melanie was surprised by the spin, but is about to say
something anyway when Louis put his hand up and says;
LOUIS
I mean it. Don't say one fuckin'
word.
MELANIE
Okay, Lou-is.
That did it!
Louis whips out the Beretta Ordell gave him, shoots
her... BAM... in the belly.
She bounces OFF one of the cars and goes down.
BAM... Louis shoots her again on the ground.
One; to make sure. Two; cause it felt good.
Then he hurries of for his car. WE FOLLOW IN FRONT OF
HIM. He looks around, then yells out;
LOUIS
See, just where I fuckin' said it
was!
He hops in the car, and throws it into reverse.
We can se Melanie's bare legs sticking out from a row of
cars. Louis stops the Toyota alongside the dead Melanie,
and yells through the passenger window;
LOUIS
Hey, look. I found it!
He drives away.
CUT TO:
EXT. PARKING LOT - DEL AMO MALL - DAY
Max Cherry's Cadillac Seville pulls up to a lined space
in the parking lot.
SUBTITLE APPEARS BELOW:
"TIME: 4:04"
Max gets out of his car and casually strolls towards the
Del Amo Mall.
INT. ROBINSON'S/MAY - DAY
Max, hands in pocket, strolls unhurriedly through the
Robinson's/May store.
He walks around the store, keeping one eye peeled toward
the Designer Clothes section. He walks up to a jewelry
counter and begins looking at he pieces in the display
case, when a pretty, young SALESGIRL comes up to him.
SALESGIRL
Can I show you something?
MAX
Not right now. I'm just killing time
waiting for my wife. But thanks,
anyway.
SALESGIRL
Sure thing. If anything grabs you,
don't be shy.
MAX
Thanks, I won't.
She goes off.
He looks towards Designer Clothes and sees Jackie walking
out of the fitting room wearing the cool black suit.
AMY
Oh, my God. You look so cool.
Jackie moves over to the mirror and checks herself out.
Max looks back to the jewelry display case, saying under
his breath;
MAX (CONT'D)
(low)
And away we go.
Jackie looks at her reflection in the mirror. Then she
lifts her eyes, meeting Max's across the room. Max gives
her a nod of his head to show he approves. Jackie smiles
and breaks contact, turning to Amy. We hear her say from
a distance. "This looks pretty good on me."
Max hears a commotion behind him and turns to see Louis
and Melanie hurriedly making their way towards Designer
Clothes.
He turns his attention back to browsing through dresses
on a rack.
He sees Louis and Melanie squabbling.
He sees Jackie disappear into the fitting room.
He sees Amy leaving the fitting room entrance.
He watches Melanie, by herself, watch Amy leave. Melanie
watches the fitting room for a few moments. Gathering her
courage, then makes her move, entering the fitting room.
Max smiles to himself, "so far so good" he thinks. He
throws a look towards Louis, only to see Louis staring
dead at him with an unhappy look on his face. Max returns
the look with a smile and a wave then turns his back on
his before he can see a reaction.
Max continues his fake browsing.
He sees Melanie come out of the fitting room carrying a
Robinson's/May bag close to her chest.
She and Louis disappear.
He sees Jackie come out of the fitting room, go over to
Amy and buy the dress. Jackie goes into her act, acting
agitated and distracted as she talks to Amy, pays with
cash, then leaves stopping to say;
JACKIE
Oh, somebody left a shopping bag in
there. Looks like beach towels.
She's gone.
Amy is left alone by the cashier counter.
It's Max's turn.
As Max looks at Amy, then at the fitting room entrance,
he says to himself;
MAX
Max, old boy. You've spent nineteen
years dealing with people who take
incredible risks. You walk over to
that counter, you're gonna find out
what it's like.
Max takes a few moments...
... then walks over to Amy.
MAX
Excuse me, but my wife thinks she
left a bag of beach towels in the
fitting room?
AMY
Yeah, I think they're back there. Go
get 'em. There's nobody in there. I
think they're in the last stall.
MAX
Thanks.
Max walks toward the fitting room, enters it, walks down
the length of stalls, and stops in front of the last one.
He opens the door to the stall. Sitting in the corner is
the Robinson's/May bag. He walks over to it, lifts out
the towels, and sees all that money. He replaces the
towels, picks up the bag and leaves. HE walks across the
Designer Clothes, passes by Amy, says;
MAX
Got 'em, thanks.
AMY
Sure thing.
Max walks unhurriedly toward the door that leads to the
parking lot.
EXT. PARKING LOT - DEL AMO MALL - DAY
He's outside; nobody's stopped him. He keeps walking
towards his blue Seville. He keeps walking unhurriedly,
never looking back. He gets to his car, uses opening the
car door as an excuse to look back at the mall.
It's normal. Nobody's after him, nobody's watching him.
He made it. It worked.
Max allows himself a smile, gets into his Cadillac with
his half-a-million bucks and drives away.
INT. SAM'S HOFFIN BRAUS - DAY
Ordell sits at the bar in Sam's drinking a screwdriver
and watching a stripper strip.
BARTENDER
There a Ordell here?
ORDELL
That's me.
The bartender hands him the phone.
BARTENDER
Don't talks all day.
Ordell takes the receiver.
INT. TOYOTA (MOVING) - DAY
A stressed Louis drives the Toyota, calling Ordell on
Ordell's tiny cellular.
LOUIS
It's Louis.
ORDELL
(now into phone)
Did you get it?
LOUIS
I got it. Listen, there's something
else I have to tell you.
ORDELL
When I see you. Pick me up at Sam's.
You count the money?
LOUIS
I haven't even looked at it yet, it's
still in the shopping bag.
ORDELL
Melanie must be dyin' to see it.
(pause)
Louis.
LOUIS
That's what I got to talk to you
about. You see, Melanie was giving me
a hard time -
ORDELL
- Not now, pick me up.
Louis hears the phone disconnect.
EXT. SAM'S HOFFIN BRAUR - DAY
The Toyota pulls up to the back of the bar. Ordell hops
in, the car takes off.
INT. TOYOTA (MOVING) - DAY
Oredell in the passenger seat, bends over to the
backseat, grabs the shopping bag, and brings it to his
lap. He looks like a kid at Christmas.
ORDELL
You keep drivin' down Ninth, to where
they got all them car dealerships.
We're gonna leave this heap in a
parking lot and get one the cops
don't know about.
(pause)
Hey, where's Melanie?
LOUIS
That's what I gotta tell you. She
bugged me the whole time. Got pissy
with me 'cause I wouldn't let her
carry the bag. Started running her
fuckin' mouth... I couldn't remember
right away when we came out where the
car was parked, so she got on me
about that. "Is it this aisle Lou-is,
is it that one?" She was totally
fuckin' with my nerves.
ORDELL
So what, you left her there.
LOUIS
I shot her.
Ordell just looks at him.
LOUIS (CONT'D)
I expect she's dead.
Ordell still doesn't say anything... then says;
ORDELL
You shot Melanie?
LOUIS
Twice. In the parking lot.
ORDELL
Couldn't talk to her?
LOUIS
You know how she is.
ORDELL
You couldn't just hit her?
LOUIS
Maybe... but at that moment... I
dunno...
ORDELL
You shot her twice?
LOUIS
Uh-huh.
ORDELL
So you're sure she's dead.
LOUIS
Pretty sure.
ORDELL
Where did you shoot her?
LOUIS
In the chest and stomach.
ORDELL
Well, if you had to do it, you had to
do it. What we don't want is that
bitch surviving on us. Anybody but
that woman.
Ordell shrugs it off, and digs into the shopping bag. He
pulls out the towels and sees forty-thousand dollars on
top of a bunch of paperbacks. His stomach drops. He just
looks inside the bag for the longest time.
Louis drives, oblivious to Ordell's dilemma.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
(quiet)
Louis?
LOUIS
(not looking at him)
What?
ORDELL
Where's the rest of it?
LOUIS
(looking at him)
How much it there?
ORDELL
Maybe forty, maybe not that much.
LOUIS
You said five hundred and fifty!
ORDELL
(calm)
So you light, ain't you. You light
about a half-a-million.
LOUIS
Look, that's the bag she came out
with. She never even put her hand in
it, and neither did I.
ORDELL
Came outta where?
LOUIS
The fitting room. It went down
exactly the way it was supposed to.
ORDELL
How long was she in there?
LOUIS
Maybe a minute. She came right out.
ORDELL
Louis, You tellin' me the truth?
LOUIS
Look, I swear to fucking god, she
came out with that bag and I took it
from her.
ORDELL
Then what?
LOUIS
We went to the parking lot.
ORDELL
Where you shot her.
LOUIS
That's right.
ORDELL
You sure she ain't somewhere with a
half-a-million dollars I worked my
ass off to earn?
Louis looks at Ordell;
LOUIS
(quietly)
Fuck you for asking me that.
ORDELL
Pull the car over.
Louis pulls it over, and stops on Ninth.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
What'd you shoot her with?
LOUIS
It's in there.
Ordell opens the glove box and takes out the Beretta. He
smells the end of the barrel. He releases the magazine.
LOUIS (CONT'D)
What's that gonna tell you" If I was
really pullin' a burn, I'd have taken
two out, wouldn't I? I thought you
trusted me.
Ordell looks at him. Louis didn't burn him.
CLOSEUP ORDELL
He thinks.
DISSOLVE TO:
CLOSEUP JACKIE
Holding a bunch of money, looking into the camera, and
saying with a smile;
JACKIE
Gotcha, nigga.
DISSOLVE BACK
TO:
CLOSEUP ORDELL
Jackie's gonna die. He slaps the magazine back into the
Beretta.
ORDELL
Okay, so it was Jackie Brown.
LOUIS
If she's got it, why didn't she take
it all?
ORDELL
'fore I blow that bitch's brains out,
I'll ask her.
LOUIS
Maybe the Feds got it.
ORDELL
If there were nothin; in here but
towels, maybe she didn't get a chance
to take it from her suitcase and
A.T.F. got it. But, she put these
fuckin' books in here to trick our
ass.
LOUIS
That's why I never checked it. The
bag felt right.
ORDELL
Then she throws forty thousand in
here, to rub the shit in my face,
know what I'm saying? She wants me to
know she ripped me off.
LOUIS
I don't know. Either she has it or
the Feds.
ORDELL
Or...
(pause)
... she gave it to somebody else
first, before Melanie went in the
dressing room.
It gets real quiet in the car, as Louis remembers
something.
LOUIS
Jesus Christ.
ORDELL
What?
LOUIS
You know who I saw in the dress
department?
ORDELL
Tell me.
LOUIS
I didn't really think anything of it.
No - I did wonder what he was doing
there, but didn't think it had
anything to do with us. You know like
maybe he was there with his wife or
girlfriend.
ORDELL
You gonna tell me who it was?
LOUIS
Max Cherry.
Ordell has to look away from Louis, takes a beat, then
looks back.
ORDELL
You see Max Cherry in the dress
department. We're about to be handed
half-a-million dollars - Man, look at
me when I'm talking to you! And you
don't think nothing of him being
there!
LOUIS
Do Max Cherry and Jackie Brown know
each other?
ORDELL
Hell, yes, they know each other. He
bonded her out of county.
LOUIS
How am I supposed to know that?
ORDELL
You know the motherfucker's a bail
bondsman, don't ya? You know every
last one of them motherfuckers is
crooked as hell?
LOUIS
Why should I think anything's weird,
if I don't know nothin' about them
knowing each other?
ORDELL
Man, I don't want to hear your
fuckin' excuses!
Louis gets mad.
LOUIS
I ain't givin' you fuckin' excuses,
I'm givin' you reasons.
ORDELL
Oh, you gonna tell me the reason you
lost all the goddam money I got in
the world! Let me tell you the
reason, motherfucker! The reason is,
your ass ain't worth a shit no more!
Louis turns into the hard convict on the yard, and tells
Ordell;
LOUIS
(hard)
You best back off.
We hear a BAM.
Louis jerks.
Ordell shot him.
Louis falls back against the car door, eyes wide open,
staring at Ordell.
Ordell takes the pistol, works the barrel up higher on
Louis' side, right under him arm, and shoots him again.
This time Louis' head BANGS against the car door window.
He slumps over - his life gone.
Ordell looks at him.
ORDELL
What the fuck happened to you, man?
Shit, your ass use'ta be beautiful.
Ordell takes the bag and gets out of the car, leaving
Louis' dead body there.
DISSOLVE TO:
MEDIUM NICOLET
NICOLET
You didn't tell me you were gonna do
some shopping.
INT. NICOLET'S OFFICE (A.T.F. HEADQUARTERS) - DAY
Jackie, still dressed in her cool black suit, sits in a
chair in Nicolet's office. Davidoff between the fingers
of one hand, she holds a small, white styrofoam cup of
coffee in he other.
Ray stands.
JACKIE
I thought I did.
NICOLET
You didn't. I would think with all
this on your mind, you'd wait till
after.
JACKIE
I got there early. I've had my eye on
this suit - Wait, let's start over. I
got there early. The idea was to try
on the suit, see if I liked it. If I
did, get them to wrap it up, and
change back into my uniform. That's
what Sheronda's expecting me to wear.
Go meet Sheronda, give her the bag
with fifty thousand, and go home.
NICOLET
But you didn't do that.
JACKIE
Because I didn't have it. Ray, I
swear, Melanie came in and grabbed
it.
(pause)
And someone killed her for it.
Nicolet looks at Jackie for a moment.
NICOLET
Where's the bag she gave you?
JACKIE
She didn't give me one. I told you
before, Melanie wasn't part of the
plan. Ordell must of told her to do
it. She bursts in, grabs the shopping
bag, and takes off. What am I
supposed to do, go after her? I'm in
my fucking underwear. I had to get
dressed before I could do anything.
So I put this back on 'cause could
put this on faster than I could my
uniform.
NICOLET
You took the time to pay the
saleswoman.
JACKIE
I had to. I was frantic. I didn't
know what to do.
NICOLET
What did you do after that?
JACKIE
I went looking for you. I went
straight to the bookstore, 'cause
that's where you were last time, but
you weren't there. How the hell else
am I supposed to let anybody know
what happened? You didn't tell me how
to do that, did you? I knew I was
under surveillance, so when I
couldn't spot anybody, I started
yelling.
NICOLET
There was a guy with Melanie?
JACKIE
Not in the fitting room.
CUT TO:
A YOUNG WOMAN A.T.F SURVEILLANCE AGENT
Pretends to shop. She watches Louis grab Melanie.
NICOLET (V.O.)
We had our agent on you. She sees a
blonde come out of the fitting room
carrying a Robinson's/May bag and
tussle with a tough-looking white
guy. The white guy takes the shopping
bag and they go.
BACK TO OFFICE
NICOLET
This guy with Melanie, that was Louis
Gara?
JACKIE
I didn't see him. I was in my
underwear. If it was a white guy, it
was probably Louis. He kill Melanie?
NICOLET
It's possible. You're saying you
don't have any idea what happened to
that fifty thousand?
JACKIE
I have no idea.
NICOLET
You'd take a polygraph on it?
JACKIE
If it'll make you happy.
NICOLET
I sure hope you haven't done anything
dumb Jackie.
Dargus comes to the doorway...
DARGUS
(to Nicolet)
Can I have a word with you?
NICOLET
Sure.
They both leave, leaving Jackie all by herself in the
room, smoking.
They both come back in.
Nicolet continues, Dargus takes a seat in the corner
saying nothing.
NICOLET (CONT'D)
Louis Gara's dead. L.A.P.D. found him
dead in a car on Ninth. And we've
lost Ordell.
JACKIE
I thought you were watching him.
NICOLET
We were, and we lost him. He walked
into a strip bar sometime around
three thirty and never came out. The
bar was on Ninth, less than a mile-
and-a-half from where Louis was found
dead. It looks like Louis's friend
shot him twice at point blank range.
JACKIE
So what happens now?
NICOLET
We pick up Ordell. We've got three
murders we can link him to. We have
the storage unit where he keeps his
guns, by tomorrow we'll have a search
warrant to go in and get him. And we
have you.
JACKIE
What about me?
NICOLET
What about you?
JACKIE
Do you think I took some of that
money?
NICOLET
I have no evidence of your taking
anything. You didn't pay for your
snazzy new suit with marked bills; I
was glad to see that. You've been
helping us out, you gave us Melanie
and Louis. Melanie had a packet of
marked bills stuffed in her shorts
when they found her, which goes a
long way backing up your story.
Jackie listens.
NICOLET (CONT'D)
I'll settle for Ordell with the
marked bills.
NICOLET
If you have something else going on
you haven't told me about, it's
between you and Ordell. All I gotta
say is, you better hope we find him
before he finds you.
DISSOLVE TO:
CLOSEUP ORDELL
On the phone.
ORDEL
... I can't leave here today... Mr.
Walker, I ain't goin' nowhere till I
get my money... You wouldn't have
that fuckin' boat weren't for me.
Man, I'm learnin' real fast who my
friends are... Mr. Walker?
INT. FILTHY APARTMENT - DAY
Ordell turn to a glassy-eyed black female junkie nodding
on the couch named RAYNELLE. The filthy apartment we're
in belongs to her.
ORDELL
Can you believe that shit?
Motherfucker hung up on me. Ingrate
nigger. Do things for people and
that's how they treat you. Goddamn
girl, how can you live like this?
He dials another number.
RAYNELLE
(stoned)
Like what?
ORDELL
Girl, this shit is repugnant.
WINSTON (O.S.)
(on other end of phone)
Cherry Bail Bonds.
ORDELL
Let me speak to Max Cherry.
INT. CHERRY BAIL BONDS - DAY
Winston behind his desk, on the phone.
WINSTON
He ain't here right now.
ORDELL
He leave town?
WINSTON
He's around.
ORDELL
Give me his home number.
WINSTON
I'll give you his beeper.
CUT TO:
A YOUNG BLACK COMEDIAN ON TV
Def Comedy Jam plays on TV, a black comedian does a nasty
stand-up routine.
INT. FILTHY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Ordell and Raynelle sit on the couch watching Def Comedy
Jam; neither one is laughing. Raynelle's too stoned.
Ordell's too tense. The phone rings, he jumps on it
ORDELL
Hello.
INT. CHERRY BAIL BONDS - NIGHT
Max on the other end behind his desk. Winston sitting on
the edge of the desk listening.
MAX
I've been looking for you.
Ordell's up and off the couch pacing.
ORDELL
You know who this is?
MAX
Mister Robbie, isn't it? I have the
ten thousand you put up. Isn't that
why you called.
Ordell doesn't say anything.
MAX (CONT'D)
The bond collateral on Beaumont
Livingston you moved over to cover
Miss Brown, remember?
ORDELL
She got off, huh?
MAX
They decided to no-file. Tell me
where you are and I'll bring you your
money.
Ordell doesn't say anything.
MAX (CONT'D)
You still there?
ORDELL
Looky here, I know you helped her and
I know you know what I want Jackie
can tell me any story come in that
pretty head of hers. Long as at the
end of that story, she hands over my
money. She do that, we're still
friends. Now, she don't wanna be my
friend no more, tell her to think
about ol' Louis. And if she tries to
turn me in, I'll name her ass as my
accessory. We'll go upstate together.
Hand in handcuffed hand. Now that
shit's a promise, understand what I'm
sayin'? You tell her that, and I'll
call you back.
Ordell hangs up. Back in control. He looks to the TV. One
of the COMEDIANS cracks a joke. Ordell laughs.
Max looks at Winston.
MAX
You're right, that was Ordell. You
have time, you think you could find
out for me where he's staying?
WINSTON
Cops can't locate him, huh?
MAX
They don't have your winning
personality.
WINSTON
Sure thing. I don't have to know what
I'm doing, long as you know.
MAX
I think I do. Is that good enough?
EXT. MOTEL - NIGHT
A low-rent motel. We hear a phone ring inside one of the
rooms.
INT. MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Jackie lies on a hotel bed, wearing a long t-shirt and
panties, watching TV that's chained to the wall.
She answers the phone.
JACKIE
Hello.
INT. MAX'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Max on the phone in his office, alone.
MAX
I know where he is.
This gets her attention. She picks up the remote to the
TV set and zaps the sound.
JACKIE
How'd you find out?
MAX
All Winston had to do was ask around.
Ordell's living in Long Beach with a
woman junkie.
JACKIE
How does Winston find him if A.T.F.
and all the local Police can't?
MAX
People talk to Winston. He's street,
same as them, they trust him. They
get busted, they know somebody who
can bond them out. I thought I might
drop in on him. He'll no doubt be
surprised to see me.
JACKIE
He's liable to shoot you.
MAX
On the phone I told him I have the
ten thousand he put up for your bond.
I could bring the money and the
papers for him to sign. Walk out and
call the Sheriff's department.
Jackie gets off the bed.
JACKIE
Ray wants him.
MAX
Everybody wants him, he's a homicide
suspect. It doesn't matter who brings
him in, he's gonna name you as an
accessory.
Jackie lights up a Davidoff.
JACKIE
That's why A.T.F.'s gotta make the
case. I'm their witness. They
wouldn't have a case without me. If
it's his word against mine, who are
they gonna believe?
MAX
It's not that simple.
Phone in one hand, smoke in the other, Jackie begins
pacing back and forth.
JACKIE
It never was, so I'm not gonna start
worrying about it now. Look, Ray more
or less believes my story, and he
more or less doesn't care. All he
really gives a shit about is getting
Ordell.
MAX
So how do we give Ordell to Nicolet?
JACKIE
Get Ordell to come to your office.
MAX
Set him up.
JACKIE
Uh-huh.
MAX
Tell him you want to see him?
JACKIE
Tell him I want to give him his
money.
MAX
Why?
JACKIE
I've chickened out. I'm afraid of
him. He'll like that.
MAX
What do you tell Nicolet?
JACKIE
Ordell called and wants to meet me
and I'm scared.
MAX
We get Ordell to come to my office.
Nicolet - is he already there, or
does he come busting in while we're
chatting?
Jackie takes a drag.
JACKIE
He's already there.
MAX
What if he hears something he's not
supposed to?
JACKIE
Well, we don't let that happen, now
do we?
EXT. FILTHY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Max at the front door or Raynelle's apartment. He pounds
on the door.
Ordell throws open the door.
ORDELL
What the fuck you doin' knockin on
the door like the goddamn police? You
lookin' to get shot?
MAX
I thought you might be asleep.
ORDELL
You keep fuckin' with me, you're
gonna be asleep forever.
He looks past Max.
MAX
I'm alone.
ORDELL
Git your ass in here.
Max enters, Ordell slams the door.
As Ordell turns away from the door, Maxis reaching into
his coat. Ordell brings his Beretta up at Max.
ORDELL
You better freeze, motherfucker!
Max freezes, his hand in his coat pocket.
MAX
You want your money? Your bond
refund?
He takes his hand out, it's holding stack of bills
wrapped in a rubber band. He tosses it to Ordell, who
catches it with his free hand.
ORDELL
That's all?
MAX
I have a bond receipt for you to
sign.
ORDELL
You know what the fuck I'm talkin'
about. You talk to her?
MAX
She wants to give you your money. If
she didn't, there'd be cops batter-
ramming the door right now.
ORDELL
How'd you find me?
MAX
Winston found you.
ORDELL
How the fuck did he find me?
MAX
That's what Winston does. He finds
people who don't want to be found.
ORDELL
Well, bully for that nigga. You say
she wants to give me the money, huh?
MAX
Uh-huh.
ORDELL
Well, give it to me then.
MAX
She wants to give it to you herself
and collect her ten percent. She also
wants to explain why she had to hold
on to it.
ORDELL
I'd like to hear that too. Turn
around and put your hands on your
head.
Max does this, Ordell pats him down.
MAX
Jackie didn't trust Melanie. She'd
already tried to get Jackie to go in
with her, split the half million
amongst themselves. What she did was
take quite a risk to see you get your
money.
ORDELL
Lift up your pant leg. You help her?
MAX
All I did was walk out with it.
ORDELL
And you did that to protect my
interest?
MAX
In a way, yes.
ORDELL
My ass be dumb, but I'm not a
dumbass. Go sit over there on the
couch.
Max does.
MAX
This place stinks.
ORDELL
You get used to it after a while. Now
tell me where my money's at.
MAX
My office.
ORDELL
And where's Jackie?
MAX
She's been there since Thursday
night.
ORDELL
She wanted to see me, why wasn't she
home?
MAX
She was afraid.
ORDELL
(laughs)
That I gotta see.
MAX
She still is. She doesn't want to get
shot before she can tell you what
happened.
ORDELL
Have her bring the money here.
MAX
It's in the safe. She can't get at
it.
ORDELL
Call her, tell her the combination.
MAX
I'm telling you, you got her spooked.
She won't leave there till you have
your money and you're gone.
ORDELL
You expect me to just walk in there?
MAX
If she wanted to set you up, you'd be
in custody right now. When you said
you'd name her as an accessory she
believed you. That scares her more
than anything.
ORDELL
That's why she's givin' up my money
huh? Not that bullshit about Melanie.
I didn't trust her ass neither, but I
knew how to handle her. She was my
blonde-headed little surfer gal. I
fuckin' told Louis he could've just
given her a punch in the mouth, he
didn't need to shoot her. She's at
your office.
MAX
Uh-huh.
ORDELL
By herself. That big mandingo nigga
Winston ain't there, is he?
MAX
She's all alone.
ORDELL
I call your office, she better answer
the phone.
MAX
She will.
INT. CHERRY BAIL BONDS - NIGHT
Jackie on the phone with Ordell, sitting behind Max's
desk.
JACKIE
I'll be here. Se ya' in a bit.
She hangs up the phone. Then starts dialing again...
INT. RAY NICOLET'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
A STEDICAM glides through the apartment, it falls on a
beeper "beeping", a gun, a wallet and car keys on a
dresser drawer... it leaves that and lands on a TV
screen: Tom Snyder is interviewing a guest on his show
... it leaves that and falls on two empty and one quarter-
filled beer bottles... it leaves that and falls on a
sleeping Ray Nicolet passed out in his reclining chair.
The sound of Tom Snyder and the faint beeping are heard
offscreen.
EXT. FILTHY APARTMENT - NIGHT
They leave the apartment walking to Max's car.
ORDELL
All the time I've known her, I never
heard her sound scared like that.
Ordinarily she's too cool for school.
I'm driving, gimme the keys.
Max hands him the keys. They climb in.
INT. CHERRY BAIL BONDS - NIGHT
Jackie sitting behind the desk. She opens the drawer to
her right, Max's .38 sits there. She closes the drawer.
INT. CADILLAC (MOVING) - NIGHT
Ordell behind the wheel, Max the passenger. Ordell plays
the radio, he likes the song and turns it up.
BACK TO JACKIE
Sitting alone in the office, she gets up and turns off
the lights. The office goes dark. No music.
BACK TO ORDELL AND MAX
The song plays LOUD. Ordell moves his head to the music
slightly. Mak sits silently in the passenger seat,
sneaking a look at Ordell every once in a while.
BACK TO JACKIE
Sitting behind Max's desk in the dark. She takes out her
Davidoffs and lights one up with her Bic. Her face is
illuminated for a moment - then it's out. She exhales a
drag. No music.
BACK TO ORDELL
CLOSEUP ORDELL
His face is ice, the music is LOUD.
BACK TO JACKIE
CLOSEUP JACKIE
She's cool as a breeze, smoking her brand. No music.
BACK TO ORDELL AND MAX
Music is LOUD. Ordell's driving. Max says;
MAX
It's the next street.
ORDELL
I know where it is.
MAX
Turn left.
ORDELL
I know where to turn.
BACK TO JACKIE
Sitting behind Max's desk. Headlights shine in the
window. She is lit by them. She puts out her Davidoff and
sits back in the chair. The light source cuts off.
BACK TO ORDELL AND MAX
Sitting in the parked Cadillac. Ordell has just turned
off the lights and turns to Max, Beretta in hand.
ORDELL
My money's in that office, right?
MAX
Uh-huh.
ORDELL
She starts givin' me some bullshit
about it ain't there. It's somewhere
else and we can go get it.
(he holds up his Beretta)
I'm shootin' you in the head right
then and there. Then I'm gonna shoot
her in the kneecap, find out where my
godamn money is. I go walkin' in
there and that nigga Winston or
anybody else is in there, you're the
first man shot, understand what I'm
sayin'?
MAX
Yeah.
ORDELL
Now, is there anything you want to
tell me before we get out of this
car?
MAX
No.
ORDELL
You sure?
MAX
Yes.
ORDELL
You better be, motherfucker.
EXT. CHERRY BAIL BONDS - NIGHT
They both get out of the Cadillac. Ordell sticks his gun
in his pants.
ORDELL
Get ahead of me and open the door.
Max steps in front of him, puts his keys in the lock and
opens the door.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
Step inside easy.
Max does.
Max sees; Jackie sitting at his desk in the dark.
Ordell sees this, too and moves past Max.
ORDELL (CONT'D)
Hey, girl, what the hell you sitting
in the goddamn dark for?
Max sees; Ordell moves past him... then he sees the
bathroom door on the left side of the desk open, throwing
light into the room, onto Jackie and the figure who steps
out of the bathroom... Mark Dargus.
Max sees; Ordell looks to Dargus, then back to Jackie.
Then Jackie says;
JACKIE
Mark...
(raising her voice)
... he's got a gun!
Max sees; Ordell almost jumps, his arm goes to the
Beretta in his pants...
... just as Dargus raises his gun and SHOOTS him three
times in the chest...
... Ordell drops o the ground like a sack of potatoes, he
lands at Max's feet.
Max looks down and sees Ordell's head by his shoes, look
of panic still on his face, dead as fried chicken.
Max sees Dargus come over, bending on one nee next to
Ordell's body.
Max looks over at Jackie, still behind the desk. She
looks eyes with Max for a moment, then stands and walks
over to the body.
Then Max sees ONE SHERIFF DEPUTY step out of the dark
holding a shogun ... then another... then Winston step
out of the bathroom.
DARGUS
He's dead.
Dargus looks up at Max;
DARGUS (CONT'D)
Does he have the marked bills on him?
Max still shaken;
MAX
In his inside coat pocket.
Dargus reaches in and pulls out the envelope containing
the forty-thousand marked dollars.
Max looks at Jackie.
She looks down at the dead Ordell with no expression,
just light up another Davidoff.
Dargus looks up at Max;
DARGUS
Why were you with him?
MAX
I went to give him his refund, so he
wouldn't have to come here.
DARGUS
How'd you know where he was?
MAX
I found out.
DARGUS
And you didn't tell the Police?
MAX
I told Jackie, and Jackie said you
wanted him.
Dargus looks down at he man he just killed.
JACKIE
Remember when Ray said you hoped
you'd get him before he got me?
Dargus looks up and nods his head.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
Well, you did. Thank you.
She takes a drag on her Davidoff.
FADE TO BLACK
INT. CHERRY BAIL BONDS - DAY
As opposed to the last scene late at night, it's early
morning. Max sits at his desk, filling out a report.
A SUB-TITLE APPEARS BELOW:
"TEN DAYS LATER"
Max hears someone go;
JACKIE (O.S.)
Knock knock.
Max looks up and sees Jackie Brown, standing in the
doorway. She smiles at him.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
Hey.
MAX FLASHES ON Jackie behind the desk.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
Mark... he's got a gun!
Dargus shoots Ordell, Ordell drops.
BACK TO OFFICE
Max smiles back.
MAX
Hey, you.
Jackie walks toward him.
JACKIE
I got your package. It was fun
getting a half-a-million dollars in
the mail.
MAX
Less ten percent.
JACKIE
Yeah, your fee. I had to figure that
out, since there wasn't no note.
She sits in the chair in front of his desk.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
Only this isn't a bail bond, Max.
MAX
I hesitated taking that much.
JACKIE
You worked for it - if you're sure that's all
you want.
MAX
I'm sure.
Pause between them.
JACKIE
I'm leaving, I have my things in my
car. Why don't you walk out with me?
I want to show you something.
Max hesitates.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
Come on, Max. I won't hurt you.
He smiles and gets up from the desk.
As she stands, Jackie says;
JACKIE (CONT'D)
I saw Ray the other day. Boy is he
pissed he missed all the excitement.
MAX
What's he doing?
JACKIE
He's on to a new thing. He's after a
guy who owns a gun shop he says is
"woefully and wantonly" selling
assault rifles to minors. He says
he's gonna take him down if it's the
last thing he does.
MAX
Did you tell him you were leaving?
JACKIE
I told him I might.
EXT. CHERRY BAIL BONDS - DAY
They walk outside and Max sees Ordell's black Mercedes
convertible.
MAX
That's Ordell's.
JACKIE
They've confiscated all his other
stuff. But this one's sorta left
over. The registration's in the glove
box, the keys were under the seat...
What's a matter" haven't you ever
borrowed someone's car?
MAX
Not after they're dead.
She walks around to the other side of the car, and looks
at him across the black Mercedes.
JACKIE
I didn't use you, Max.
MAX
I didn't say you did.
JACKIE
I never lied to you.
MAX
I know.
JACKIE
We're partners.
MAX
I'm fifty-five-years old. I can't
blame anybody for anything I do.
JACKIE
Do you blame yourself for helping me?
He shakes his head 'no.'
JACKIE (CONT'D)
'd feel a whole lot better if you
took some more money.
MAX
(smiling)
You'll get over that.
Jackie smiles.
MAX (CONT'D)
Where're you going?
JACKIE
Spain.
MAX
Madrid or Barcelona?
JACKIE
Start off in Madrid. Ever been there?
He shakes his head 'no.'
JACKIE (CONT'D)
I hear they don't eat dinner till
midnight.
Max doesn't say anything.
JACKIE
Wanna go?
MAX
Thanks, but you have a good time.
JACKIE
Sure I can't twist your arm?
MAX
Thank you for saying that, but no. My
business.
JACKIE
I thought you were tired of your
business?
MAX
I'm just tired in general.
JACKIE
Are you scared of me?
Max smiles and holds up two fingers, close to each other.
MAX
A little bit.
Jackie smiles back.
JACKIE
Come over here.
Max does.
They give each other a long, tender kiss.
She breaks it.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
I'll send you a postcard, partner.
THE END
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